Galactomannan from the seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima prevents indomethacin-induced gastrointestinal damage via neutrophil migration

Structure characteristics, protective effect and mechanisms of ethanol-fractional polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale on acute ethanol-induced gastritis

Gastritis is a common disease characterized by gastric ulcers and severe bleeding. Excessive daily alcohol consumption can cause acute gastritis, impacting individuals' quality of life. This study aims to explore the protective effects of different ethanol-fractional polysaccharides of Dendrobium officinale (EPDO) on acute alcohol-induced gastric injury in vivo. Results showed that EPDO-80, identified as a β-glucan, exhibited significant anti-inflammatory properties in pathology. It could reduce the area of gastric mucosal injury and cell infiltration. EPDO-80 had a dose-effect relationship in reducing the levels of malondialdehyde and cyclooxygenase-2 and decreasing the levels of inflammation mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α. More extensively, EPDO-80 could inhibit the activation of the TNFR/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the production of TNF-α mRNA and cell apoptosis in organs. Conversely, EPDO-80 could promote changes in the gut microbiota structure. These findings suggest that EPDO-80 could have great potential in limiting oxidative stress and inflammation mediated by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is highly related to its β-glucan structure and functions in gut microbiota.

Advances in sulfonated modification and bioactivity of polysaccharides

Polysaccharides, as biological macromolecules, are widely found in plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria and exhibit various biological activities. However, many natural polysaccharides exhibit low or non-existent biological activities because of their high molecular weights and poor water solubility, limiting their application in many fields. Sulfonation is one of the most effective chemical modification methods to improve physicochemical properties and biological activities of natural polysaccharides or even impart natural polysaccharides with new biological activities. Therefore, sulfonated polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention because of their antioxidant, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. This paper reviews the recent advances in the sulfonation of polysaccharides, including preparation, characterization, and biological activities of sulfonated polysaccharides, and provides a theoretical basis for wide applications of sulfonated polysaccharides.

In-depth insight into correlations between gut microbiota and dietary fiber elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health

Dietary fiber exerts a wide range of biological benefits on host health, which not only provides a powerful source of nutrition for gut microbiota but also supplies key microbial metabolites that directly affect host health. This review mainly focuses on the decomposition and metabolism of dietary fiber and the essential genera Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium in dietary fiber fermentation. Dietary fiber plays an essential role in host health by impacting outcomes related to obesity, enteritis, immune health, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the gut microbiota-independent pathway of dietary fiber affecting host health is also discussed. Personalized dietary fiber intake combined with microbiome, genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle and other factors has been highlighted for development in the future. A higher level of evidence is needed to demonstrate which microbial phenotype benefits from which kind of dietary fiber. In-depth insights into the correlation between gut microbiota and dietary fiber provide strong theoretical support for the precise application of dietary fiber, which elucidates a dietary causal relationship with host health.

Potential metabolites of Arecaceae family for the natural anti-osteoarthritis medicine: A review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the joints caused by fluid and cartilage matrix component reduction. This disease results in symptoms of pain, deformity, and limitation of movement. In general, OA is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotection compounds, includes natural nutraceutical ingredients, which are expected to be effective and have minimal side effects. Arecaceae plants are widely spread worldwide, especially in tropical areas. The objective of this review is to collect information about the Arecaceae family as anti-OA agents, with the main study focusing on the primary and secondary metabolites of plants of the Arecaceae family, i.e., sugar palm (Arenga pinnata), nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), and betel nut (Areca catechu) have potential as anti-OA agents. The Arecaceae's metabolites that show anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects are galactomannan, fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, isorhamnetin), phenolics (coumaric acid, ferulic acid), polyphenols (epicatechin), and steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol, spirostane). Based on the reports, the Arecaceae family plants become worthy of being explored and developed into natural anti-OA products, such as supplements or nutraceuticals.

Galactomannan of Delonix regia seeds modulates cytokine expression and oxidative stress eliciting anti-inflammatory and healing effects in mice cutaneous wound

The galactomannans property of forming viscous solutions, along with the traditional use of Delonix regia as anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and wound healing, justify the investigation of the healing mechanism of Delonix regia galactomannan (GM-DR) in a model of excisional cutaneous wound. GM-DR (% 0.01-1) was topically applied to the wounds of female Swiss mice during 14 days. The wound healing effect of GM-DR was evaluated by the following parameters: wound closure and clinical signs (hyperemia, edema and exudate by macroscopy, nociception by analgesimetry), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde - MDA, reduced glutathione - GSH) by ELISA, histopathological (HE and Picrosirius red), and histomorphometric (collagenesis, blood vessels, polymorphonuclear, mononuclear, fusiform cells) and immunohistochemistry (inflammatory and growth factor mediators) by tissue microarrayer. GM-DR reduced wound area (7-14th day) and hypernociception (6 h - 5th day), leukocyte infiltration (2 -7th days), expression and levels of IL-1β (2th day), IL-6 (2th day), MDA (44% - 2th day), and increased fusiform cells, granulation tissue, collagen deposition, GSH (25 - 50%, 2-5th day), expression of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (7-10th day) and smooth muscle alpha actin (α-SMA) (7-14th day). In conclusion, GM-DR accelerates the mice healing process acting both in the inflammatory and proliferative phases.

Uncovering the Mechanisms and Molecular Targets of Weibing Formula 1 against Gastritis: Coupling Network Pharmacology with GEO Database

Weibing Formula 1, a classic traditional formula, has been widely used clinically to treat gastritis in recent years. However, the potential pharmacological mechanism of Weibing Formula 1 is still unclear to date. A network pharmacology-based strategy was performed to uncover the underlying mechanisms of Weibing Formula 1 against gastritis. Furthermore, we structured the drug-active ingredients-genes-disease network and PPI network of shared targets, and function enrichment analysis of these targets was carried out. Ultimately, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and real-time quantitative PCR were used to verify the related genes. We found 251 potential targets corresponding to 135 bioactive components of Weibing Formula 1. Then, 327 gastritis-related targets were known gastritis-related targets. Among which, 60 common targets were shared between potential targets of Weibing Formula 1 and known gastritis-related targets. The results of pathway enrichment analysis displayed that 60 common targets mostly participated in various pathways related to Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, and apoptosis. Based on the GSE60427 dataset, 15 common genes were shared between differentially expressed genes and 60 candidate targets. The verification results of the GSE5081 dataset showed that except for DUOX2 and VCAM1, the other 13 genes were significantly upregulated in gastritis, which was consistent with the results in the GSE60427 dataset. More importantly, real-time quantitative PCR results showed that the expressions of PTGS2, MMP9, CXCL2, and CXCL8 were significantly upregulated and NOS2, EGFR, and IL-10 were downregulated in gastritis patients, while the expressions of PTGS2, MMP9, CXCL2, and CXCL8 were significantly downregulated and NOS2, EGFR, and IL-10 were upregulated after the treatment of Weibing Formula 1. PTGS2, NOS2, EGFR, MMP9, CXCL2, CXCL8, and IL-10 may be the important direct targets of Weibing Formula 1 in gastritis treatment. Our study revealed the mechanism of Weibing Formula 1 in gastritis from an overall and systematic perspective, providing a theoretical basis for further knowing and application of this formula in the future.

Therapeutic Promises of Medicinal Plants in Bangladesh and Their Bioactive Compounds against Ulcers and Inflammatory Diseases

When functioning properly, the stomach is the center of both physical and mental satisfaction. Gastrointestinal disorders, or malfunctioning of the stomach, due to infections caused by various biological entities and physiochemical abnormalities, are now widespread, with most of the diseases being inflammatory, which, depending on the position and degree of inflammation, have different names such as peptic or gastric ulcers, irritable bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis, and so on. While many synthetic drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are now extensively used to treat these diseases, their harmful and long-term side effects cannot be ignored. To treat these diseases safely and successfully, different potent medicinal plants and their active components are considered game-changers. In consideration of this, the present review aimed to reveal a general and comprehensive updated overview of the anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of medicinal plants. To emphasize the efficacy of the medicinal plants, various bioactive compounds from the plant extract, their experimental animal models, and clinical trials are depicted.

Diosgenin and galactomannans, natural products in the pharmaceutical sciences

Background

Diosgenin is an isospirostane derivative, which is a steroidal sapogenin and the product of acids or enzymes hydrolysis process of dioscin and protodioscin. Galactomannans are heteropolysaccharides composed of D-mannose and D-galactose, which are major sources of locust bean, guar, tara and fenugreek.

Methods

Literature survey was accomplished using multiple databases including PubMed, Science Direct, ISI web of knowledge and Google Scholar.

Results

Four major sources of seed galactomannans are locust bean (Ceratonia siliqua), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), tara (Caesalpinia spinosa Kuntze), and fenugreek (T.foenum-graecum). Diosgenin has effect on immune system, lipid system, inflammatory and reproductive systems, caner, metabolic process, blood system, blood glucose and calcium regulation. The most important pharmacological benefits of galactomannan are antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, anticholinesterase, antiviral activities, and appropriate for dengue virus and gastric diseases.

Conclusions

Considering the importance of diosgenin and galactomannans, the obtained findings suggest potential of diosgenin and galactomannans as natural products in pharmaceutical industries.

The protective effects of rosmarinic acid on ethanol-induced gastritis in male rats: antioxidant defense enhancement

Background and purpose:

Gastritis is one of the most current gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Alcohol consumption is one of the major factors, which provides gastritis. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is found in many plants and has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the protective effect of RA was evaluated on the histopathological indices, antioxidant ability, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion in male rats.

Experimental approach:

Forty-two animals were divided into control, ethanol-induced gastritis, and RA groups, 6 each. The protective groups included RA administration before gastritis induction at 50 mg (R-G50), 100 mg (R-G100), 150 mg (R-G150), and 200 mg (R-G200) doses. Gastritis was induced by gavage of 1 mL pure ethanol in fasted animals. After 1 h of gastritis induction, the rats were sacrificed and stomach tissue was removed.

Findings/Results:

Histological evaluation revealed that RA significantly attenuated gastric ulcers, leucocyte infiltration, and hyperemia. It also increased mucosal layer thickness and restored gastric glands. Furthermore, RA decreased malondialdehyde level, increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione in the stomach tissue, and raised gastric PGE2 level.

Conclusion and implications:

Our study demonstrated that rosmarinic acid has a notable effect on gastritis protection that could be due to increased antioxidant defense and PGE2 secretion, eventually maintenance of mucosal barrier integrity and gastric glands.

Galactomannan of Delonix regia seeds reduces nociception and morphological damage in the rat model of osteoarthritis induced by sodium monoiodoacetate

This study investigated the effects of the protein-free galactomannan obtained from Delonix regia seeds (GM-DR) in an experimental osteoarthritis (OA) model. GM-DR was obtained from water-homogenized endosperms by collection of the supernatant and precipitation with ethanol. The remaining proteins in the galactomannan were removed by alkaline hydrolysis. Weight average molar mass (Mw) of the galactomannan was estimated in 5.8 × 105 g mol-1, presenting mannose:galactose ratio of 2.39:1. Rats received sodium monoiodoacetate (OA groups, 1 mg/25 μL) or saline (sham group) in the right tibio-tarsal joint. GM-DR (30-300 μg) was administered by intra-articular route at days 14 and 21 after OA induction. Hypernociception was evaluated daily by the measurement of the mechanical threshold required to cause joint flexion and paw withdrawal reflex. The 56-day animal groups were euthanized for joint histopahological analysis using the OARSI score system. Lower doses of GM-DR (30 and 100 μg) promoted antinociception from day 15 until the endpoint at day 56. Joint damage was reduced by GM-DR administration (100 μg) in OA-subjected animals, compared to the vehicle-treated OA group (5.9 ± 1.8 vs 19.0 ± 1.8, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both antinociception and damage reduction suggest that Delonix regia galactomannan is a promising approach for osteoarthritis therapy.

Promising alternative gum: Extraction, characterization, and oxidation of the galactomannan of Cassia fistula

Galactomannan extracted from Cassia fistula seed endosperm present little data related to the its structural characterization. This study reports the chemical characterization of the galactomannan from Cassia fistula (CF) and their oxidized derivatives. The extracted CF presented a yield of 26.5% (w/w) and the intrinsic viscosity [η] was 9.73 dL/g. 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) confirmed that the polysaccharide has a backbone of 4-linked β-D-mannose units, and contains galactose units as pending groups. These galactose units are linked to the central core through a (1→6) linkage and the galactomannan presented Man/Gal ratio of 3.1/1. The galactomannan from Cassia fistula presents low cytotoxicity in Vero cells with a CC₅₀ > 1000 μg/ml. The properties of CF resemble other commercially important galactomannans such as Locust bean gum. Three oxidized derivatives of CF were produced by periodate oxidation, which were carefully characterized by different structural techniques. It was observed that as the degree of oxidation increased, there was an increase in the Man/Gal ratio and a reduction in molar mass and viscosity. The polialdehyde produced may be explored as a versality material to react with amine group of the protein and amined polysaccharide to produce biomaterials.

Pharmacological Effects of Agastache rugosa against Gastritis Using a Network Pharmacology Approach

Agastache rugosa is used as a Korean traditional medicine to treat gastric diseases. However, the active ingredients and pharmacological targets of A. rugosa are unknown. In this study, we aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa on gastritis by combining a mice model and a network pharmacology method. The macrophage and gastritis-induced models were used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa. The results show that A. rugosa relieved mucosal damage induced by HCl/EtOH in vivo. Network analysis identified 99 components in A. rugosa; six components were selected through systematic screening, and five components were linked to 45 gastritis-related genes. The main components were acacetin and luteolin, and the identified core genes were AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK3) etc. in this network. The network of components, target genes, protein–protein interactions, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was closely connected with chemokines and with phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/AKT), tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNFα), mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. In conclusion, A. rugosa exerts gastro-protective effects through a multi-compound and multi-pathway regulatory network and holds potential for treating inflammatory gastric diseases.

Extraction, purification, and determination of the gastroprotective activity of glucomannan from Bletilla striata

In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (BSP) was extracted and purified from pseudobulb of Bletilla striata. The preliminary structure and gastroprotective activity of BSP were analyzed. Results indicate that BSP is a glucomannan with a molar ratio of 7.45:2.55 (Man:Glc), and its molecular weight is approximately 1.7 × 10⁵ Da. BSP displayed outstanding protective action against ethanol-induced GES-1 cell injury in vitro, as well as, excellent gastroprotective activity in vivo. Especially, a high-dose of BSP (100 mg/kg) could reduce the ulcer index of the gastric mucosa and increase the percentage of ulcer inhibition, which possibly caused by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and inhibiting the apoptotic pathway in gastric tissue. Interestingly, BSP exhibited a comparative gastroprotective activity to that of positive control (omeprazole). In summary, our results indicated that BSP could be considered as a potential supplement for the prevention of gastric injury.

Herb-drug interaction in the protective effect of Alpinia officinarum against gastric injury induced by indomethacin based on pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies in rats

Alpinia officinarum Hance of the Chinese traditional herb for the treatment of emesis, abdominal pain and diarrhea has been used to counteract gastric disease induced by indomethacin in rats without obvious side effects. However, the role of herb-drug interaction between indomethacin and A. officinarum based on pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion still remains unknown. In this study, an ultra-fast liquid-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of indomethacin and its three metabolites, O-desmethylindomethacin (ODI), deschlorobenzoylindomethacin (NDI) and indomethacin acyl-β-D-glucuronide (IDAβG) by oral administration of indomethacin solution with and without the ethanolic extract of A. officinarum and applied to comparative pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies. Our results clarified that oral administration of A. officinarum produced significant alterations in the pharmacokinetic parameters of indomethacin. And the pharmacokinetic interaction between indomethacin and A. officinarum reduced the systemic exposure of indomethacin and increased its elimination. Tissue distribution results demonstrated that co-administration of A. Officinarum could not reduce the accumulation of indomethacin in the target tissue of the stomach, but could accelerate the excretions of indomethacin and its three metabolites including ODI, NDI and IDAβG in the bile and feces of rats in the excretion study. Therefore, A. Officinarum might have a gastrointestinal protective effect through the interaction role with indomethacin based on the pharmacokinetics and excretion in rats.