6-Shogaol ameliorates injury to the intestinal mucosa and increases survival after high-dose abdominal irradiation

Exploring the Role of Inulin in Targeting the Gut Microbiota: An Innovative Strategy for Alleviating Colonic Fibrosis Induced By Irradiation

The use of radiation therapy to treat pelvic and abdominal cancers can lead to the development of either acute or chronic radiation enteropathy. Radiation-induced chronic colonic fibrosis is a common gastrointestinal disorder resulting from the above radiation therapy. In this study, we establish the efficacy of inulin supplements in safeguarding against colonic fibrosis caused by irradiation therapy. Studies have demonstrated that inulin supplements enhance the proliferation of bacteria responsible to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and elevate the levels of SCFAs in feces. In a mouse model of chronic radiation enteropathy, the transplantation of gut microbiota and its metabolites from feces of inulin-treated mice were found to reduce colonic fibrosis in validation experiments. Administering inulin-derived metabolites from gut microbiota led to a notable decrease in the expression of genes linked to fibrosis and collagen production in mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH/3T3. In the cell line, inulin-derived metabolites also suppressed the expression of genes linked to the extracellular matrix synthesis pathway. The results indicate a novel and practical approach to safeguarding against chronic radiation-induced colonic fibrosis.

Quality control of Zingiberis Rhizoma and its processed products by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based non-targeted metabonomics combining with SIBDV method

Zingiberis Rhizoma (ZR) is a homologous plant with pungent tastes and aromas, which has unique nutritional value and tremendous application potentiality. Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum (ZRP) and Carbonised Ginger (CG) are processed products of ZR through different processing methods, and they are commonly used ingredients in food supplements. This study used ZR, ZRP and CG from different batches to further understand composition differences after processing. Additionally, we performed non-targeted metabolomics-based profiling of gingerols by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) in combination with multivariate analysis and compounds identification. In which, we developed a comprehensive SWATH-IDA bi-directionally verified (SIBDV) method integrating the advantages of Sequential Windowed Acquisition of all Theoretical fragment ions (SWATHTM) and traditional information-dependent acquisition (IDA) mode for characterization of gingerols. Potential chemical markers were selected by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of chemometrics methods. After that, the threshold variable importance in projection (VIP) value and P value were employed to screen the valuable MS features for discriminating ZR, ZRP and CG. In total, 59 gingerols in the different samples were structurally identified. Results allowed the selection of 33 gingerols, which are nominated as novel markers for materials authentication in ZR, ZRP and CG. The analysis of the study showed that the content of gingerols showed a downward trend after processing, but shogaols and gingerone compounds had an upward trend, resulting in differences in application and pharmacodynamic efficacy. These findings provide promising perspectives in the quality control of ZR, ZRP and CG, as well as for laying the foundation in food design and development.

p-Coumaric acid ameliorates ionizing radiation-induced intestinal injury through modulation of oxidative stress and pyroptosis

AIMS

Intestinal injury is a clinical problem related to radiotherapy or accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of p-coumaric acid (CA) against radiation induced intestinal injury.

MAIN METHODS

The present study orally administered CA to C57BL/6 male mice at 30 min before total body irradiation and continued for 3 days post irradiation. Then, the mice were sacrificed at day 3.5 or 14 after irradiation, respectively. The blood was collected to analyze the inflammatory cytokines. The antioxidant indexes of jejunum tissues were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and apoptosis analysis was studied to investigate the pathological changes of the jejunum tissues. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were carried out to determine the changes in mRNA and protein levels of jejunum tissues.

KEY FINDINGS

Compared with the only irradiated group, treatment with CA improved intestinal morphology and apoptosis, increased the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. It also reduced the oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The molecular mechanism analysis showed that CA significantly inhibited the pyroptosis genes (Caspase-1, NLRP3 and AIM2) mRNA expression and improved the intestinal barrier genes expression.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results suggested that CA ameliorates ionizing radiation-induced intestinal injury by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammatory response and pyroptosis.

Poloxamer modified florfenicol instant microparticles for improved oral bioavailability

Surfactants can improve the hydrophobicity of poorly water-soluble drugs and increase the stability of microparticles by reducing surface tension. This study describes that surfactant-engineered florfenicol instant microparticles (FIMs) increase bioavailability through a micellar solubilization mechanism. The FIMs were prepared by a modified emulsification method, and the optimal prescription was obtained by a combination of single factor investigation and response surface methodology. The microparticles prepared in this study reduce the polymer materials while increasing the drug content. FIM has a smaller particle size and modification of poloxamer, resulting in better solubility and higher bioavailability. The in vitro solubility of FIM is 1.43 times higher than that of the bulk drug, and the dissolution equilibrium can be achieved in 10 minutes. Compared with florfenicol, FIM showed a decrease in T_max in the plasma concentration curve, with a peak concentration of 1.43 times and an area of 1.41 times. Considering the advantages of in vitro/in vivo performance and ease of preparation, FIMs may have great application prospects in pharmacy research.

Nobiletin Attenuates DSS-Induced Intestinal Barrier Damage through the HNF4α-Claudin-7 Signaling Pathway

The intestinal epithelium barrier functions to protect human bodies from damages such as harmful microorganisms, antigens, and toxins. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect and molecular mechanism of a dominant polymethoxyflavone nobiletin (NOB) from tangerine peels on intestinal epithelial integrity. The results from transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) suggested that NOB pretreatment counteracts epithelial injury induced by inflammatory cytokines (TEER value in 48 h: vehicle, 135.6 ± 3.9 Ω/cm²; TNF-α + IL-1β, 90.7 ± 0.5 Ω/cm²; 10 μM NOB + TNF-α + IL-1β, 126.1 ± 0.8 Ω/cm²; 100 μM NOB + TNF-α + IL-1β, 125.3 ± 0.5 Ω/cm². P < 0.001). Clinical and pathological test results suggested that administration of NOB effectively alleviates intestinal barrier injury induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) as evidenced by the length of colon villi on day 7 (control, 253.7 ± 4.8 μm, DSS 131.6 ± 4.6 μm, NOB + DSS, 234.5 ± 5.1 μm. P < 0.001). Interestingly, when screening tight junction molecules for intestinal barrier integrity, we observed that independent treatment with NOB sharply increased claudin-7 levels (ratio of claudin-7 over GAPDH: control, 1.0 ± 0.06; DSS, 0.02 ± 0.001; NOB + DSS, 0.3 ± 0.07. P < 0.001), which was previously suppressed upon DSS stimulation. Furthermore, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α) transcriptional regulation of claudin-7 contributed to intestinal barrier homeostasis. Therefore, our study suggests potential intestinal protective strategies based on polymethoxyflavones of aged tangerine peels.

Phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on diethylnitrosamine toxicity in rats

Context: Chronic liver damage has serious medical consequences. Objective: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of dry Zingiber officinale (ginger) and its essential (volatile) oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) toxicity in rats. Materials and methods: Phenols and flavonoids components were characterized in dry ginger using HPLC-UV instrument while ginger essential oil (E.O.) was investigated via GC-MS technique. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro. In rat model, ginger was administrated for 2 months. Lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers, liver functions and histopathology were assessed. Results: Chlorogenic acid (63.85 ppm) and hesperidin (156.91 ppm) are among the major phenolic and flavonoid constituents in dry ginger. Curcumene (15.21%) and linalool (13.47%) represent the main E.O. constituents. In rats treated with ginger E.O., a significant elevation in serum HDL (31.14%) was accompanied by a decrease in LDL (55.14%). A significant decrease in serum ALT and ALP was reported (56.85% and 53.84%, respectively). Serum GSH-Px activity has significantly increased 75.06%. Meanwhile, E.O. showed anticancer potential against HepG2 cell line (IC50 = 40 µg/mL). Liver histopathological examinations confirmed the protective effect against abnormalities. Conclusion: Ginger was able to reduce the severity of DEN-cytotoxicity in rats, which suggests a novel antioxidant role originating from this medicinal plant.

Ameliorative and protective effects of ginger and its main constituents against natural, chemical and radiation-induced toxicities: A comprehensive review

Fatal unintentional poisoning is widespread upon human exposure to toxic agents such as pesticides, heavy metals, environmental pollutants, bacterial and fungal toxins or even some medications and cosmetic products. In this regards, the application of the natural dietary agents as antidotes has engrossed a substantial attention. One of the ancient known traditional medicines and spices with an arsenal of metabolites of several reported health benefits is ginger. This extended literature review serves to demonstrate the protective effects and mechanisms of ginger and its phytochemicals against natural, chemical and radiation-induced toxicities. Collected data obtained from the in-vivo and in-vitro experimental studies in this overview detail the designation of the protective effects to ginger's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Ginger's armoury of phytochemicals exerted its protective function via different mechanisms and cell signalling pathways, including Nrf2/ARE, MAPK, NF-ƙB, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β1/Smad3, and ERK/CREB. The outcomes of this review could encourage further clinical trials of ginger applications in radiotherapy and chemotherapy regime for cancer treatments or its implementation to counteract the chemical toxicity induced by industrial pollutants, alcohol, smoking or administered drugs.

Analysis of changes to lncRNAs and their target mRNAs in murine jejunum after radiation treatment

LncRNAs have been reported to play an important role in various diseases. However, their role in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury is unknown. The goal of the present study was to analyse the potential mechanistic role of lncRNAs in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury. Mice were divided into two groups: Control (non‐irradiated) and irradiated. Irradiated mice were administered 14 Gy of abdominal irradiation (ABI) and were assessed 3.5 days after irradiation. Changes to the jejuna of ABI mice were analysed using RNA‐Seq for alterations to both lncRNA and mRNA. These results were validated using qRT‐PCR. LncRNAs targets were predicted based on analysis of lncRNAs‐miRNAs‐mRNAs interaction. 29 007 lncRNAs and 17 142 mRNAs were detected in the two groups. At 3.5 days post‐irradiation, 91 lncRNAs and 57 lncRNAs were significantly up‐ and downregulated respectively. Similarly, 752 mRNAs and 400 mRNAs were significantly up‐ and downregulated respectively. qRT‐PCR was used to verify the altered expression of four lncRNAs (ENSMUST00000173070, AK157361, AK083183, AK038898) and four mRNAs (Mboat1, Nek10, Ccl24, Cyp2c55). Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses indicated the predicted genes were mainly involved in the VEGF signalling pathway. This study reveals that the expression of lncRNAs was altered in the jejuna of mice post‐irradiation. Moreover, it provides a resource for the study of lncRNAs in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury.

Ginger Oleoresin Alleviated γ-Ray Irradiation-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species via the Nrf2 Protective Response in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Unplanned exposure to radiation can cause side effects on high-risk individuals; meanwhile, radiotherapies can also cause injury on normal cells and tissues surrounding the tumor. Besides the direct radiation damage, most of the ionizing radiation- (IR-) induced injuries were caused by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which possess self-renew and multilineage differentiation capabilities, are a critical population of cells to participate in the regeneration of IR-damaged tissues. Therefore, it is imperative to search effective radioprotectors for hMSCs. This study was to demonstrate whether natural source ginger oleoresin would mitigate IR-induced injuries in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We demonstrated that ginger oleoresin could significantly reduce IR-induced cytotoxicity, ROS generation, and DNA strand breaks. In addition, the ROS-scavenging mechanism of ginger oleoresin was also investigated. The results showed that ginger oleoresin could induce the translocation of Nrf2 to cell nucleus and activate the expression of cytoprotective genes encoding for HO-1 and NQO-1. It suggests that ginger oleoresin has a potential role of being an effective antioxidant and radioprotective agent.