Amino acid HPLC-FLD analysis of spirulina and its protective mechanism against the combination of obesity and colitis in wistar rats

Objective

The cafeteria diet (CD), designed as an experimental diet mimicking the obesogenic diet, may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This study delves into the influence of spirulina (SP) on obesity associated with colitis in Wistar rats.

Methods

The amino acids composition of SP was analyzed using HPLC-FLD. Animals were equally separated into eight groups, each containing seven animals and treated daily for eight weeks as follows: Control diet (SD), cafeteria diet (CD) group, CD + SP (500 mg/kg) and SD + SP. Ulcerative colitis was provoked by rectal injection of acetic acid (AA) (3 % v/v, 5 ml/kg b.w.) on the last day of treatment in the following groups: SD + AA, SD + AA + SP, CD + AA, and CD + AA + SP.

Results

Findings revealed that UC and/or CD increased the abdominal fat, weights gain, and colons. Moreover, severe colonic alteration, perturbations in the serum metabolic parameters associated with an oxidative stress state in the colonic mucosa, defined by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased levels of plasma scavenging activity (PSA). Additionally, obesity exacerbated the severity of AA-induced UC promoting inflammation marked by the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Significantly, treatment with SP provided notable protection against inflammation severity, reduced histopathological alterations, attenuated lipid peroxidation (MDA), and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, and GPX) along with non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH and SH-G).

Conclusions

Thus, the antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory proprieties of SP could be attributed to its richness in amino acids, which could potentially mitigate inflammation severity in obese subjects suffering from ulcerative colitis. These results imply that SP hold promise as a therapeutic agent for managing of UC, particularly in individuals with concomitant obesity. Understanding SP's mechanisms of action may lead novel treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases and hyperlipidemia in medical research.

Chromatographic Analyses of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Mechanism of Its Protective Effects against Experimental Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis in Rats

Background and Objectives: Obesity is currently a major health problem due to fatty acid accumulation and excess intake of energy, which leads to an increase in oxidative stress, particularly in the liver. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of spirulina (SP) against cafeteria diet (CD)-induced obesity, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The rats were divided into four groups and received daily treatments for eight weeks as follows: control group fed a standard diet (SD 360 g/d); cafeteria diet group (CD 360 g/d); spirulina group (SP 500 mg/kg); and CD + SP group (500 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) according to body weight (b.w.) per oral (p.o.). Results: Our results show that treatment with a CD increased the weights of the body, liver, and abdominal fat. Additionally, severe hepatic alteration, disturbances in the metabolic parameters of serum, and lipotoxicity associated with oxidative stress in response to the CD-induced obesity were observed. However, SP treatment significantly reduced the liver alteration of CD feed and lipid profile disorder associated with obesity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that spirulina has a marked potential therapeutic effect against obesity and mitigates disturbances in liver function parameters, histological alterations, and oxidative stress status.

Myrtle Berries Seeds Prevent Dyslipidemia, Inflammation, and Excessive Cardiac Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Response to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Anthocyanins are the major polyphenols in myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). This study investigates the protective potentials of MBSAE against obesity lipotoxicity and inflammation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). It also describes the underlying mechanisms involved in its protective effects, with special attention to myocardial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Male Wistar rats were fed HFD for 6 weeks to induce obesity. MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) was orally administered to HFD-fed rats. Anti-obesity effects were triggered by the inhibitory action of the MBSAE against the weights of the body, its relative heart and the total abdominal fat. Treatment with MBSAE also restored the lipid profile to baseline compared with the HFD rats and lowered also the white blood cells count, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils number as well as cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-1β) levels in the rats serum, thus improving the tissue inflammatory status associated with obesity. Exposure of rats to HFD during 6 weeks induces a myocardial oxidative stress as assessed by deleterious effects on lipoperoxidation state, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities as well as sulfhydryl groups and GSH rates. Of importance, our study shows also that HFD provokes a heart ROS (H2O2, OH•, and O2•-) overload. Of interest, all these oxidative heart disturbances were clearly ended by MBSAE treatment. Therefore, consumption of MBSAE as a natural extract may be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat obesity-associated diseases.

The Role of Globularia alypum Explored Ex Vivo In Vitro on Human Colon Biopsies from Ulcerative Colitis Patients

The existing literature indicates that Globularia alypum L. (GA) influences inflammation and oxidative stress modulation in rats and in vitro. The present study aims to investigate the effects of this plant in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and normal controls. In our experiments, we pretreated colon biopsies from 46 UC patients and normal controls with GA leaves aqueous extract (GAAE) used at two concentrations (50 and 100 µg/mL) for 3 h, followed by Lipopolysaccharides (from Escherichia coli) stimulation. We analyzed the effects on inflammation by studying the cyclo-oxygenase-2, the intercellular adhesion molecule-1, the nuclear factor kappa B, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression. Moreover, we assessed the levels of interleukin 6, the superoxide dismutase activity, and nitric oxide release in the supernatant of cultures. Our data showed that GAAE influences UC patients and normal controls for most studied markers and enzymes. These results acknowledge, with some scientific evidence, the traditional belief in the anti-inflammatory properties of GA and represent the first demonstration of its effect in a human in vitro model of inflammatory conditions.

Role of Anti-Inflammatory, Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity and Nematicidal Properties of Myrtle Berry Seeds on Helminthiasis Treatment

This study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokine production in the pathogenicity of gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice and also the protective effect of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berry seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). With this aim, Swiss Albino mice were divided into four groups of 10 animals each: control, helminthiasis, helminthiasis + MBSAE, and helminthiasis + Albendazole. The animals were infected with infective third larval stage (L3) of H. polygyrus by oral administration. Mice were treated with bidistilled water, MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) or Albendazole (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.). We have demonstrated that MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) significantly reduced the total mean adult worms compared with the infected and nontreated group. Moreover, hematological parameters, intestinal ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxyl radical (OH^•), and superoxide anion (O₂^•-), as well as serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were analyzed. We have shown that H. polygyrus infection has disrupted all these biochemical parameters and that MBSAE treatment has significantly corrected these disturbances. The effect of plant extract was comparable to the standard drug albendazole. Therefore, MBSAE appeared to be a promising agent for the control of intestinal helminthiasis.

Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Stem Bark of Alstonia boonei De Wild. (Apocynaceae) on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Wistar Rats

Among the most exploited species in Cameroon, Alstonia boonei is widely used in African medicine for the relief of several pathologies including gastrointestinal disorders. This study was conducted in order to assess the effects of aqueous and methanol stem-bark extracts of Alstonia boonei on DSS- (dextran sodium sulfate-) induced intestinal colitis and to determine its antioxidant potential. The classes of secondary metabolites present in these extracts were determined by chemical screening. The production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and PGE2 was performed by in vitro ELISA analysis. Anticolitis effects were determined using an in vivo model of ulcerative colitis induced by DSS. The colitis was induced with a double dose of DSS (3% and 1%), and the aqueous and methanol extracts were administered orally from the 6^th day after commencement of induction. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of six classes of secondary metabolites in these crude extracts: tannins, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenols. Methanol and aqueous extracts of Alstonia boonei significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and PGE2 production stimulated by LPS. Both extracts at all doses significantly reduced (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) the signs of DSS-induced colitis in the Wistar rats by decreasing inflammation and chronic colon damage. In addition, the extracts significantly (P < 0.001) reduced malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the colon and significantly (P < 0.01) increased superoxide dismutase and catalase and reduced glutathione (P < 0.05). Both extracts showed greater activity than the reference substance (prednisolone 4 mg/kg) used in this study. This study has demonstrated that aqueous and methanol extracts of Alstonia boonei stem bark have healing properties against colitis experimentally induced by DSS in rats.

Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Components of Rosa canina Extract and Its Protective Effect on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Intestinal Bowel Disease in a Mouse Model

Rosa canina is a well-known medicinal plant used in folk remedy that alleviates various disorders, including inflammation, gastritis, and diarrhea. The objective of this investigation was to identify and quantify the phenolic components of R. canina methanolic extract (RCME) and to determine its protective action with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-generated mice colitis model. RCME chemical analysis was done using Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and experimental animals received RCME at different doses before colitis induction by oral DSS administration during 7 days. Another group received sulfasalazine as a positive control. Colitis damages and RCME benefits were assessed using histopathological and biochemical changes and improvements. Many phenolic compounds have been identified. In addition, the DSS intoxication induced an alteration of colonic epithelium associated with an oxidative stress state. DSS administration led to an increase or decrease of intracellular mediators such as free iron and ionizable calcium. RCME consumption effectively protected against colonic histological/biochemical alterations induced by DSS intoxication providing support for the traditional use of this plant.

Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and therapeutic effects of Myrtus communis L. berries seeds on gastrointestinal tract diseases: a review

Medicinal plants have always had an important place in the therapeutic arsenal of humanity and particularly in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases. Myrtus communis L., known as common myrtle, is native to Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The different parts of this plant are used as antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antidiabetic, urinary antiseptic, and to treat the respiratory and digestive systems diseases. For the first time, an exhaustive bibliographic research of the seeds of myrtle berries has been carried out. As a result, it has been found that this plant is very rich in biologically active compounds such as phospholipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. This has made it effective in the treatment of digestive diseases. In order to emphasize the importance of myrtle berries seeds, this review has been established by discussing its botanical, morphological, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal studies as well as its effect on digestive tract diseases.

Antioxidant Activity of Myrtus communis L. and Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. Extracts: A Brief Review

Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) and Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. (Saharan myrtle) have been used in folk medicine for alleviating some ailments. M. communis is largely distributed in the Mediterranean Basin, whereas M. nivellei is confined in specific zones of the central Saharan mountains. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of berry and leaf extracts isolated from myrtle are deeply documented, whereas those isolated from Saharan myrtle extracts are less studied. In both species, the major groups of constituents include gallic acid derivatives, flavonols, flavonol derivatives, and hydroxybenzoic acids. In coloured berries, anthocyanins are also present. In M. nivellei extracts are reported for some compounds not described in M. communis so far: 2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole-β-d-glucopyranoside, 2-hydroxy-1,8-cineole 2-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside, rugosin A, and rugosin B. Berries and leaves extracts of both species had antioxidant activity. Comparative studies of the antioxidant activity between leaf and berry myrtle extracts revealed that leaf extracts are best antioxidants, which can be assigned to the galloyl derivatives, flavonols, and flavonols derivatives, although the ratio of these groups of compounds might also have an important role in the antioxidant activity. The anthocyanins present in myrtle berries seem to possess weak antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of sample extracts depended on various factors: harvesting time, storage, extraction solvent, extraction type, and plant part used, among other factors. Leaf extracts of myrtle revealed to possess anti-inflammatory activity in several models used. This property has been attributed either to the flavonoids and/or hydrolysable tannins, nevertheless nonprenylated acylphloroglucinols (e.g., myrtucommulone and semimyrtucommulone) have also revealed a remarkable role in that activity. The biological activities of myrtle extracts found so far may direct its use towards for stabilizing complex lipid systems, as prebiotic in food formulations, and as novel therapeutic for the management of inflammation.

Myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract abrogates chronic alcohol consumption-induced erythrocytes osmotic stability disturbance, haematological and biochemical toxicity

BACKGROUND

This study examined the effects of chronic alcohol consumption in the rat erythrocytes membrane as well as the involvement of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines in its pathogenicity in rats and evaluated the ameliorating effects of myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE).

METHODS

Fifty adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into five groups and treated daily for two months as follows: control, ethanol (3 g kg^- 1 b.w., p.o.), and ethanol + MBSAE (25, 50 and 100 mg kg^- 1, b.w., p.o.).

RESULTS

Exposure of rats to alcohol caused significant changes of some haematological parameters, enhanced erythrocytes hemolysis as well as an overproduction of reactive oxygen species such as H₂O₂, OH^• radical and superoxide anion, hence the increase of lipoperoxidation and the depletion of antioxidant enzymes activity as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant (-SH groups and GSH) levels. On the other hand, ethanol intoxication caused the increase of serum TNFα, IL-8, IL-6 and 1Lβ, markers of tissue inflammation. However, treatment with MBSAE alleviated all the deleterious effects of alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

MBSAE possess active compounds, which exert marked protective effects in chronic alcohol intoxication, possibly by regulating the erythrocytes osmotic stability as well as antioxidant and inflammatory mediators.

Protective effects of Artemisia campestris extract against gastric acid reflux-induced esophageal mucosa injuries

Artemisia campestris L. has been widely used in alternative medicine to treat digestive system diseases, particularly gastroesophageal disorders. In the present investigation, we studied the putative protective effect of Artemisia campestris aqueous extract (ACAE) against gastro-esophageal reflux (GER)-induced esophagitis in rats. The experimental ophagitis was induced by the ligation of the pylorus as well as the junction between the forestomach and the corpus. We firstly found that ACAE administration at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w., p.o. significantly protected GER-induced macroscopic and histological injuries in the esophagus tissue. Our extract also counteracted GER-induced esophagus lipoperoxidation, restored the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as thiol groups levels. Furthermore, we showed that acute GER provoked an increase in esophagus mucosa hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), free iron and calcium levels, whereas ACAE treatment reversed all GER-induced intracellular mediators' disturbances. In conclusion, we suggested that ACAE had potent protective effects against esophagitis due, in part, to its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effect on some intracellular mediators.

HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS/MS analysis of chamomile decoction and mechanism of its protective effects on aspirin-induced small bowel injuries

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of chamomile (Matricaria recutitaL.) decoction extract (CDE) on aspirin-induced small bowel injuries.

Fatty acid composition and mechanisms of the protective effects of myrtle berry seed aqueous extract in alcohol-induced peptic ulcer in rat

This study aimed to investigate the antiulcer and antioxidant activities of myrtle berry seed aqueous extract (MBSAE) in a peptic ulcer model induced by ethanol in male Wistar rats. MBSAE is rich in total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic (18:2) and oleic (18:1) acids. MBSAE also exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC₅₀ = 172.1 μg/mL) and superoxide anion (IC₅₀ = 200.24 μg/mL) scavenging activities. In vivo, MBSAE provided dose-dependent protection against ethanol-induced gastric and duodenal macroscopic and histological alterations. Also, it inhibited secretory profile disturbances and lipid peroxidation, and preserved normal antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels. More importantly, we showed that acute alcohol intoxication increased gastric and duodenal calcium, hydrogen peroxide, and free iron levels, whereas MBSAE treatment protected against intracellular mediator deregulation. In conclusion, we suggest that MBSAE has potent protective effects against alcohol-induced peptic ulcer in rat. This protection might be related in part to its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effects on some studied intracellular mediators.

Ameliorative and antioxidant effects of myrtle berry seed (Myrtus communis) extract during reflux-induced esophagitis in rats

Context Myrtle, Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), is a medicinal plant well known for its richness in phenolic compounds and its beneficial effects for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.Objective In the present work, the protective effect of the myrtle berry seed aqueous extract (MBSAE) against esophageal reflux (ER)-induced damage in esophagus mucosa as well as the mechanisms implicated was determined.Materials and methods In this respect, adult male Wistar rats were used and divided into seven groups: Control, ER, ER + various doses of MBSAE, ER + famotidine or ER + gallic acid. The ER was induced and animals were per orally (p.o.) treated with MBSAE or reference molecules during 6 h. The phytochemical screening was determined using colourimetric analysis.Results MBSAE is rich in total polyphenols and anthocyanins and exhibited an important in vitro antioxidant activity. In vivo, we firstly found that ER led to marked macroscopic and histopathological changes in esophagus. The results showed, also, that the ER was accompanied by a state of oxidative stress as assessed by an increase of lipid peroxidation, a decrease of the sulphhydryl groups and glutathione levels, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities depletion. MBSAE abrogated all morphological, histopathological and biochemical alterations. We showed also that ER increased esophageal calcium, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and free iron levels while MBSAE treatment protected against intracellular mediators deregulation.Conclusion Our data suggest that MBSAE exerted a potential protective effect against ER-induced damage in rat esophagus, at least in part, due to its antioxidant properties.

Chamomile decoction extract inhibits human neutrophils ROS production and attenuates alcohol-induced haematological parameters changes and erythrocytes oxidative stress in rat

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of subacute pre-treatment with chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract (CDE) against stimulated neutrophils ROS production as well as ethanol (EtOH)-induced haematological changes and erythrocytes oxidative stress in rat.

METHODS

Neutrophils were isolated and ROS generation was measured by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. Superoxide anion generation was detected by the cytochrome c reduction assay. Adult male wistar rats were used and divided into six groups of ten each: control, EtOH, EtOH + various doses of CDE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, b.w.), and EtOH+ ascorbic acid (AA). Animals were pre-treated with CDE extract during 10 days.

RESULTS

We found that CDE inhibited (P ≤ 0.0003) luminol-amplified chemiluminescence of resting neutrophils and N-formyl methionylleucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) or phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) stimulated neutrophils, in a dose-dependent manner. CDE had no effect on superoxide anion, but it inhibited (P ≤ 0.0004) H2O2 production in cell free system. In vivo, CDE counteracted (P ≤ 0.0034) the effect of single EtOH administration which induced (P < 0.0001) an increase of white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT) counts. Our results also demonstrated that alcohol administration significantly (P < 0.0001) induced erythrocytes lipoperoxidation increase and depletion of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) content as well as antioxidant enzyme activities as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). More importantly, we found that acute alcohol administration increased (P < 0.0001) erythrocytes and plasma hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), free iron, and calcium levels while the CDE pre-treatment reversed increased (P ≤ 0.0051) all these intracellular disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that CDE inhibits neutrophil ROS production and protects against EtOH-induced haematologiacal parameters changes and erythrocytes oxidative stress. The haematoprotection offered by chamomile might involve in part its antioxidant properties as well as its opposite effect on some intracellular mediators such as H2O2, free iron, and calcium.

Ceratonia siliqua leaves exert a strong ROS-scavenging effect in human neutrophils, inhibit myeloperoxydase in vitro and protect against intestinal fluid and electrolytes secretion in rats

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are induced by biological, chemical and physical factors which are, in turn, associated with an increased risk of several human diseases.

Human neutrophils ROS inhibition and protective effects of Myrtus communis leaves essential oils against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanism implicated in the protective effects ofMyrtus communisleaves essential oils (MCEO) on human neutrophils reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.) seeds extract

OBJECTIVES

The present study was carried out to determine the antidiarrheal effects of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE) from Tunisia as well as the involvement of its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in such protection.

METHODS

Adult male wistar rats were used and divided into six groups of ten each: control, Castor oil, Castor oil + Loperamide and Castor oil + various doses of MBSAE. Animals were per orally (p.o.) pre-treated with MBSAE for one hour and intoxicated by castor oil acute oral administration.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results demonstrated that the MBSAE is rich in total and condensed tannins and exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. In vivo, we found that MBSAE administration induced a significant dose-dependent protection against diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation. Castor oil-induced intestinal hypersecretion was accompanied by an oxidative stress status in the intestine. More importantly, we showed that acute diarrhoea was accompanied by an increase in intestinal mucosa hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), calcium and free iron levels while MBSAE pre-treatment reversed all castor oil-induced intracellular mediators disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that MBSAE had a potent protective effects against castor oil-induced acute diarrhoea due in part to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.