Hexane extract of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. stimulates the motility of rat distal colon

Schisandra B, a representative lignan from Schisandra chinensis, improves cisplatin-induced toxicity: An in vitro study

Schisandrin B (Scheme B) is the most abundant and active lignan monomer isolated from Schisandra chinensis. At present, most reports focus on its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects, however, the related reports on gastrointestinal protective effects are still limited. The study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Scheme B on cisplatin-induced rat intestinal crypt epithelial (IEC-6) cell injury and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that Scheme B at 2.5, 5 and 10 μM could inhibit dose-dependently the reduction of cell activity induced by cisplatin exposure at 1 μM, decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to alleviate oxidative stress injury in IEC-6 cell lines. Meanwhile, Scheme B could relieve cisplatin-induced apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT and the downstream caspase signaling pathway. The results from flow cytometry analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) staining also demonstrated the anti-apoptosis effect of Scheme B. Furthermore, Scheme B was found to reduce the inflammation associated with cell damage by evaluating the protein expressions of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Importantly, Wnt/β-catenin, as a functional signaling pathway that drives intestinal self-recovery, was also in part regulated by Scheme B. In conclusion, Scheme B might alleviate cisplatin-induced IEC-6 cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and repairing intestinal barrier function. The present research provides a strong evidence that Scheme B may be a useful modulator in cisplatin-induced intestinal toxicity.

Bioactive Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Ponciri Fructus

Ponciri Fructus is a crude drug obtained from the dried immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L). Raf. (Syn. Citrus trifoliata L.). This study aims to compile and analyze the ethnomedicinal uses, bioactive constituents, and pharmacological activities of Ponciri Fructus. Various online bibliographic databases namely, SciFinder, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were used for collecting information on traditional uses, biological activities, and bioactive constituents. Concerning ethnomedicinal uses, Ponciri Fructus is extensively used in traditional Korean, Chinese, and Kampo medicines to mitigate allergic reactions, inflammation, edema, digestive complications, respiratory problems, spleen-related problems, liver complications, neuronal pain, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular problems, hernia, sinusitis, and insomnia. Several studies have shown that Ponciri Fructus is a major source of diverse classes of bioactive compounds namely flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, phytosterols, and alkaloids. Several in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activity evaluations such as antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimelanogenic, gastroprotective, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects have been conducted from Ponciri Fructus. However, scientific investigations focusing on bioassay-guided isolation and identification of specific bioactive constituents are limited. Therefore, an in-depth scientific investigation of Ponciri Fructus focusing on bioassay-guided isolation, mechanism based pharmacological studies, pharmacokinetic studies, and evaluation of possible toxicities is necessary in the future.

Poncirus Trifoliata (L.) Raf. Extract Inhibits the Development of Atopic Dermatitis-like Lesions in Human Keratinocytes and NC/Nga mice

This study investigated the anti-allergic effect of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (PT) on human keratinocytic HaCaT cells in vitro and on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions in vivo. The release of TARC, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8 is increased by IFN-γ and TNF-α in HaCaT cells, and PT extract suppressed the increased production of TARC, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8. PT extract recovered the expression of filaggrin decreased by IFN-γ and TNF-α. in vivo experiment, PT administration decreased the skin severity score, thickening of the epidermis, movement of inflammatory cells into the dermis, and serum IgE level as compared to DNCB treatment. Moreover, the decrease of filaggrin and loricrin induced by DNCB treatment was recovered by PT administration. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in mouse splenocytes increased after treatment with concanavalin A, and the secretions of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin were lower in the PT-treated group than in the DNCB group. These findings may indicate that PT is useful in drug development for the treatment of AD.

Phytotherapeutic effects of the fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. on cancer, inflammation, and digestive dysfunction

Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. belongs to the family Rutaceae in the genus Poncirus. Its fruits are widely used to alleviate symptoms of various disorders. The mature fruit (MF) possesses anticancer and antiinflammatory activities. Extracts of the dried, immature fruit, Poncirus fructus (PF) are widely used as a traditional medicine for ameliorating symptoms of digestive dysfunction in East Asia. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of MF and PF extracts on cancer, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders have been extensively studied in the past decade. This review summarizes recent findings on the anticancer and antiinflammatory effects of MF and the prokinetic effects of PF. Although the therapeutic effects of MF and PF have been clearly elucidated, in-depth further clinical studies are still required to completely verify the clinical efficacy and safety of the fruits of P. trifoliata (L.) Raf.

Effects and Safety of Aqueous Extract of Poncirus fructus in Spinal Cord Injury with Neurogenic Bowel

Objective. To investigate the effects and safety of the aqueous extract of the dried, immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf., known as Poncirus fructus (PF), in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with neurogenic bowel. Methods. Thirty-one SCI patients with neurogenic bowel were recruited. Patients were evaluated based on clinical information, constipation score, Bristol Stool Form Scale, stool retention score using plain abdominal radiograph, and colon transit time. PF was administered in dosages of 800 mg each prior to breakfast and lunch for 14 days. Results. The morphological feature of the stool before and after administration indicated a statistically significant difference from 3.52 ± 1.33 to 4.32 ± 1.44 points (p < 0.05). Stool retention score before and after administration of PF was represented with low significance (7.25 ± 1.60 to 6.46 ± 1.53 points) in the whole colon (p < 0.05), and the colon transit time was significantly shortened (57.41 ± 20.7 to 41.2 ± 25.5 hours) in terms of the whole transit time (p < 0.05). Side effects were observed in 7 people (28.0%) consisting of 2 people with soft stools and 5 people with diarrhea. Conclusion. For SCI patients, PF administration significantly improved defecation patterns, defecation retention, and colon transit time. PF could be an effective aid to improve colonic motility and constipation.

Effects of Schisandra chinensis extract on gastrointestinal motility in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (SC) continues to be used as a traditional folk medicine in Asia, especially for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to gastritis, diarrhea, enterocolitis and abnormal GI motility.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Because GI disorders, especially abnormal GI motility, are major lifelong problems, we investigated the effects of SC on the pacemaker activity of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in murine small intestine and GI motility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines, and the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials generated by cultured ICCs. In vivo effects of SC on GI motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rate (ITR) of Evans blue in normal and GI motility dysfunction mice.

RESULTS

SC extracts depolarized the membrane potentials of ICCs in a dose dependent manner. Pretreatment with Ca(2+) free solution or thapsigargin (a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials by ICCs, and under these conditions, SC extract did not depolarize the membrane potentials of ICCs. In addition, membrane depolarizations were inhibited by intracellular GDPβS and by U-73122 (an active phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor). In normal mice, ITRs were significantly increased by SC extract (0.1-1g/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)) in a dose dependent manner. Also, SC extract significantly recovered the GI motility dysfunctions in acetic acid (AA)-injected and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, which are the GI motility animal models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SC extract modulates pacemaker potentials in ICCs in a dose dependent manner via external and internal Ca(2+) regulations, and via G protein and the PLC pathway. In addition, SC extract increased ITRs in normal and abnormal GI motility mice models. This study shows that SC extract offers a basis for the development of a prokinetic agent that prevents or alleviates GI motility dysfunctions.

The relaxing effect of Poncirus fructus and its flavonoid content on porcine coronary artery

Coronary artery disease is a common occurrence in human, and causes enormous social cost. Poncirus fructus (PF), the dried immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesquem, is used in the treatment of womb contraction and dyspepsia, as a prokinetic, and in improving blood circulation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of PF and some of its flavonoids components on the coronary from the pig. The arterial ring was suspended by a pair of stainless steel stirrups in an organ bath. The end of the upper stirrup was connected to an isometric force transducer. A dose-dependent induction of relaxation was observed by both water and 70% ethanol extracts of PF in the porcine coronary artery precontracted with U46619 (100 nM), a stable analogue of the potent vasoconstrictor thromboxane A₂. The 70% ethanol extract showed more efficacy than the water extract. Pretreatment of the artery with L-NAME (100 µM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, resulted in a significant reduction in the relaxation induced by PF extract. In addition, ODQ (10 µM), a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, also significantly reduced the effects of PF extracts. Hesperidin, a flavonoid present in PF, induced very weak relaxation of the porcine coronary artery at a high concentration (100 µM), while its aglycone, hesperetin, demonstrated a dose-dependent relaxation. In conclusion, PF extracts induced relaxation in the porcine coronary artery, partially through the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway, and the aglycones of flavonoids might be also involved in the relaxation of the same artery.

Volatile profiles of flavedo, pulp and seeds in Poncirus trifoliata fruits

BACKGROUND

Poncirus trifoliata, also known as trifoliate orange, is a tree native to China and Korea and widely used all over the world as a rootstock breeding material. In this study the differences among the volatile profiles of flavedo, pulp and seeds from two cultivars (var. trifoliata and var. monstrosa) grown in Italy (Marche, Abruzzo and Sicily) were determined. Headspace solid phase microextraction and hydrodistillation techniques were used in combination with GC/FID and GC/MS to obtain the volatile profiles of the samples.

RESULTS

Both techniques permitted the differentiation of fruit parts based on the main volatile components: the flavedo was characterized by monoterpene hydrocarbons such as limonene and myrcene, the seeds were characterized by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as (E)-caryophyllene and germacrene D, while the pulp showed an intermediate composition. The main differences in volatile profiles obtained by the two techniques were analyzed by chemometric techniques such as principal component analysis.

CONCLUSION

The study did not highlight significant differences in volatiles between the two cultivars of trifoliate orange, while few differences in the number of volatiles in the fruit parts were revealed by the two techniques.

Effects of dates pulp extract and palm sap (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on gastrointestinal transit activity in healthy rats

The current study was performed to measure the chemical composition and the effects of dates pulp extract and palm sap on gastrointestinal transit (GIT) activity in healthy adult rats. In this respect, male Wistar rats fasted for 24 hours were used and received per orally (p.o.) sodium chloride (NaCl) (0,9%) (control group) or various doses of dates pulp extract (150 and 300 mg/kg, body weight [b.w.]) and palm sap (0.4 and 4 mL/kg, b.w.). Two other groups of rats (batch tests) received, respectively, clonidine (an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, 1 mg/kg, b.w.) and yohimbine (an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist, 2mg/kg, b.w.). Chemical analysis showed that the dates pulp extract is more rich in sugars and minerals, especially potassium and sucrose, as compared with palm sap composition. On the other hand, in vivo study showed that the aqueous dates pulp extract significantly, and dose dependently, increased the GIT activity while the palm sap slightly increased it. Moreover, a converse effect has been observed using clonidine (decreased 68%) and yohimbine (increased 33%) on the GIT activity. These findings suggest that dates pulp extract and palm sap have a stimulating effect on GIT activity in rats and confirm their use in traditional Tunisian medicine for the treatment of constipation.

Poncirus trifoliate fruit modulates pacemaker activity in interstitial cells of Cajal from the murine small intestine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Poncirus fructus (PF) has been widely used as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia, especially to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to abnormal GI motility.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Poncirus fructus (PF), also known as Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (Rutaceae), is widely used as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia mainly to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to abnormal GI motility. In a previous study, a methanol extract of PF was found to have particularly potent gastroprokinetic effects. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, but the action mechanisms of PF extract in mouse small intestinal ICCs have not been investigated. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of a methanol extract of PF (MPF) in mouse small intestinal ICCs. In addition, we sought to identify the receptors involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials (current clamp) from cultured ICCs. In addition, we analyzed intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i).

RESULTS

MPF decreased the amplitudes of pacemaker potentials in ICCs, and depolarized resting membrane potentials in a concentration dependent manner. Y25130 (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) and RS39604 (a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist) blocked MPF-induced membrane depolarizations, whereas SB269970 (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist) did not. Pretreatment with Na(+) or Ca(2+)-free solution or thapsigargin (a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed MPF-induced activity. [Ca(2+)]i analysis showed that MPF increased [Ca(2+)]i. Furthermore, treatments with PD 98059, SB203580, or JNK II inhibitor blocked MPF-induced membrane depolarizations in ICCs.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that MPF modulates pacemaker potentials through 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptor-mediated pathways via external Na(+) and Ca(2+) influx, and via Ca(2+) release from internal stores in a mitogen-activated protein kinase dependent manner. The study shows MPF is a good candidate for the development of a gastroprokinetic agent. In view of the effects of MPF on ICCs, further research is required, particularly to identify the active compound(s) involved and to determine their action mechanisms.

Involvement of transient receptor potential melastatin type 7 channels on Poncirus fructus-induced depolarizations of pacemaking activity in interstitial cells of Cajal from murine small intestine

Background

Extracts of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (Rutaceae; PT) are widely used as a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia, especially for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders related to GI motility. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemakers in the GI tract, and transient receptor potential melastatin type 7 (TRPM7) channels and Ca²⁺ activated Cl^– channels are candidate pacemaker channels.

Methods

In the present study, the effects of a methanolic extract of the dried roots of PT on ICC pacemaking activity were examined using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique.

Results

The methanolic extract of PT (PTE) was found to decrease the amplitudes of pacemaker potentials in ICC clusters and to depolarize the resting membrane potentials in a concentration-dependent manner. Intracellular GDP-β-S suppressed PTE-induced depolarizations, and pretreatment with a U-73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor) or with 2-APB (an 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate receptor inhibitor) abolished this generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed PTE-induced effects. The applications of flufenamic acid, niflumic acid, waixenicin A, or 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors (NDGA or AA861) abolished this generation of pacemaker potentials and inhibited PTE-induced membrane depolarization. Furthermore, PTE inhibited TRPM7 channels but did not affect Ca²⁺-activated Cl^– channels (both channels play important roles in the modulation of the pacemaking activity related to GI motility).

Conclusion

These results suggest that the PTE-induced depolarization of pacemaking activity occurs in a G-protein-, phospholipase C-, and 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate-dependent manner via TRPM7 channels in cultured ICCs from murine small intestine, which indicates that ICCs are PTE targets and that their interactions affect intestinal motility.

Acetylene compound isolated from Atractylodes japonica stimulates the contractility of rat distal colon via inhibiting the nitrergic-purinergic relaxation

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our previous research has showed that rhizome of Atractylodes japonica Koidz (Compositae) exhibits an increase in the spontaneous contractility of distal colon in rats. The aims of this study are to identify the phytochemical(s), which stimulate(s) the colonic contractility, contained in Atractylodes japonica and to evaluate the pharmacological mechanism responsible for the colonic muscle contraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on the stimulatory activity-guided fractionation on the isometric contraction of rat distal colonic strips, atractylodiol (ATD) and diacetyl-atractylodiol (DATD) were isolated from the CHCl(3) fractions of Atractylodes japonica.

RESULTS

ATD and DATD dose-dependently increased both tension and amplitude of distal colon longitudinal muscle (DCLM), but they stimulated only amplitude in the distal colon circular muscle. The ED(50) values of ATD and DATD to stimulate the amplitude of DCLM were revealed as 9.1×10(-9)M and 1.8×10(-8)M, respectively. l-NAME (0.1mM) significantly increased the ADT (1μM)-induced contraction of DCLM, whereas SNAP (0.1mM) markedly reduced the stimulatory effects of ATD on DCLM contractility. The combined effects of SNAP and atropine (0.5μM) on the ATD-induced contraction of DCLM were similar to the inhibitory effects of SNAP alone. Suramin (0.1mM) significantly enhanced the increase of ATD-induced DCLM contraction, whereas ADPβS (0.1mM) markedly abolished the stimulatory effects of ATD on the spontaneous contractility of DCLM.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results demonstrate that acetylene compounds, ATD and DATD, are the effective phytochemical of Atractylodes japonica to stimulate the motility of distal colon in rats, and ATD possibly enhances the spontaneous contractility of distal colon through inhibiting the mechanism of nitrergic-purinergic relaxation.