Gastro-Protective Effects of Albizia anthelmintica Leaf Extract on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Wistar Rats: In Silico and In Vivo Studies

Enhanced upregulation of SIRT1 via pioglitazone and ligustrazine confers protection against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Gastric ulcer is a disturbing disease that impacts many people worldwide. Pioglitazone (Piog), a thiazolidinedione, and ligustrazine (Ligu), a natural component of Ligusticum chuanxiong possess gastroprotective properties. However, the underlying mechanism is not well elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective effects of Piog (15 mg/kg, p.o.), Ligu (15 mg/kg, p.o.), and their combination against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Omeprazole (10 mg/kg) was used as a standard. Pre-treatment for 7 days with Piog, Ligu, and (Piog+Ligu) effectively alleviated ethanol-predisposed oxidative stress and inflammation through restoring HO-1, GSH, and SOD tissue levels and decreasing elevated MDA, TNF-α, ICAM, I-NOS, and IL-1β contents. Moreover, Piog, Ligu, and (Piog+Ligu) markedly inhibited the ethanol-induced increase of gastric NF-KB and BAX. In contrast, this pre-treatment regimen significantly accelerated protein expression of SIRT1, Nrf2, and Bcl-2, along with autophagic proteins, ATG5 and Beclin. Interestingly, macroscopic, histopathological examination and mucin content were in harmony with previous results, where pre-treatment with Piog, Ligu, and (Piog+Ligu) showed a declined mucosal injury as evidenced by the remarkable decrease of the ulcer area percentage by 62.3%, 38.7%, and 91.2%, respectively, compared to the ethanol-ulcerated group. In conclusion, Piog and Ligu exhibited remarkable gastroprotective properties. Our study was the first to show that Piog, Ligu, and (Piog+Ligu) ameliorated oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis and accelerated the autophagic process via the upregulation of the upstream SIRT1 protein. It is worth mentioning that future studies are needed to pave the way for the clinical use of Piog and Ligu as gastro-protective agents.

Elmaidomy A, H. Abu-Baih D, M. Abdel Zaher A, Mokhtar FA, A. Algehainy N, T. Bakhsh H, Bringmann G, Ramadan Abdelmohsen U, Abdelhafez OH. Tamarix aphylla derived metabolites ameliorate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats by modulating the MAPK signaling pathway, alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation: In vivo study supported by pharmacological network analysis

Nature has proven to be a treasure resource of bioactive metabolites. In this regard, Tamarix aphylla (F. Tamaricaceae) leaves crude extract was investigated for its gastroprotective effect against indomethacin-induced damage to the gastric mucosa. Additionally, phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract afforded eight flavonoids' derivatives (1-8). On pharmacology networking study, the isolated compounds identified 123 unique targets where only 45 targets were related to peptic ulcer conditions, these 45 targets include 11 targets specifically correlate to gastric ulcer. The protein-protein interaction defined the PTGS2 gene as one of the highly interacted genes and the complete pharmacology network defined the PTGS2 gene as the most represented gene. The top KEGG signaling pathways according to fold enrichment analysis was the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway. As a result, these findings highlighted the significance of using T. aphylla leaves crude extract as an anti-gastric ulcer candidate, which provides a safer option to chemical antisecretory medicines, which are infamous for their negative side effects. Our findings have illuminated the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of T. aphylla, which are likely mediated by suppressing IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MAPK signaling pathways, without compromising gastric acidity.

Parthenolide alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities

Parthenolide (PTL) is a sesquiterpene lactone that occurs naturally. It demonstrates a variety of beneficial effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. The study investigated the potential protective impact of PTL on indomethacin (INDO) induced stomach ulcers in rats. The rats were classified into 5 distinct categories. Group 1 served as the "control" group. Rats in the second group received a single oral dosage of INDO (50 mg kg-1). Rats in Groups three and four received 20 and 40 mg kg-1 oral PTL 1 h before INDO. Omeprazole (30 mg kg-1) was given orally to Group 5 rats 1 h before INDO. Pretreatment with PTL increased stomach pH and decreased gastric volume as well as reduced the morphological and histological changes induced by INDO. Analysis of probable pathways showed that pre-treatment with PTL successfully reduced oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic consequences caused by INDO. The ingestion of PTL leads to a notable increase in the levels of glutathione reduced (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, PTL decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). In contrast, it was shown that PTL increased both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PTL shows a significant decrease in the expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). PTL therapy resulted in a decrease in Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) levels and an increase in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) levels. In conclusion, PTL offers gastroprotection by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic qualities.

Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gastric ulcer (GU) is the injury of the gastric mucosa caused by the stimulation of various pathogenic factors penetrating the deep mucosal muscle layer. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in treating GU due to its multitarget, multilevel, and multi-pathway effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review the latest research progress in the treatment of GU by TCM, including clinical and experimental studies, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of drugs and providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of GU by natural herbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the keywords "gastric ulcer", "gastric mucosal lesion", "TCM" and or paired with "peptic ulcer" and "natural drugs" for studies published in the last fifteen years until 2023.

RESULTS

TCM, including single components of natural products, Chinese patent medicines (CPM), and TCM decoction, is expected to treat GU by regulating various mechanisms, such as redox balance, inflammatory factors, angiogenesis, gastric mucosal protective factors, intestinal flora, apoptosis, and autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

We discussed and summarized the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of GU, which provided a sufficient basis for TCM treatment of GU.

Use of Callistemon citrinus as a gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in obese rats

Background

Obesity leads to an elevated risk of developing gastrointestinal disease such as gastric ulcers. Callistemon citrinus leaf extract has shown antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and chemoprotective effects against colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus leaf extract on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in obese rats.

Methods

Gastric ulcers were induced in female obese Wistar rats using a single oral dose of indomethacin (IND). In the first stage, the rats were fed with a high fat sugar diet (HFSD) for 15 weeks to induce obesity and, at the same time, the diet of the other group of animals included daily administration of ethanolic C. citrinus leaf extract (250 mg/kg) in addition to HFSD. In the second stage, gastric ulcers were induced with IND (30 mg/kg). The gastroprotective activity of C. citrinus, the inflammatory enzyme activities, and cytokines in the stomach were determined.

Results

C. citrinus produced a reduction of gastric lesions caused by IND. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activities also decreased. Although inflammatory biomarkers such as TNFα, IL-6, AOPP, and leptin were significantly decreased by C. citrinus, adiponectin levels increased. Moreover, C. citrinus decreased weight gain and morphological and biochemical parameters.

Conclusion

The use of indomethacin in rats fed with a high fat-sugar diet increased gastric ulcers. Gastroprotective effect of C. citrinus in obese rats is attributed to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the inflammatory enzymes.

LC-MS-Based Metabolomics Reveals the Mechanism of Protection of Berberine against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid with low toxicity, which exists in a wide variety of medicinal plants. Berberine has been demonstrated to exhibit potent prevention of indomethacin-induced gastric injury (GI) but the related mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics was applied for the first time to investigate the alteration of serum metabolites in the protection of berberine against indomethacin-induced gastric injury in rats. Subsequently, bioinformatics was utilized to analyze the potential metabolic pathway of the anti-GI effect of berberine. The pharmacodynamic data indicated that berberine could ameliorate gastric pathological damage, inhibit the level of proinflammatory factors in serum, and increase the level of antioxidant factors in serum. The LC-MS-based metabolomics analysis conducted in this study demonstrated the presence of 57 differential metabolites in the serum of rats with induced GI caused by indomethacin, which was associated with 29 metabolic pathways. Moreover, the study revealed that berberine showed a significant impact on the differential metabolites, with 45 differential metabolites being reported between the model group and the group treated with berberine. The differential metabolites were associated with 24 metabolic pathways, and berberine administration regulated 14 of the 57 differential metabolites, affecting 14 of the 29 metabolic pathways. The primary metabolic pathways affected were glutathione metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. Based on the results, it can be concluded that berberine has a gastroprotective effect on the GI. This study is particularly significant since it is the first to elucidate the mechanism of berberine's action on GI. The results suggest that berberine's action may be related to energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation regulation. These findings may pave the way for the development of new therapeutic interventions for the prevention and management of NSAID-induced GI disorders.

Apium extract alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats via modulating the VEGF and IK-κB/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway: insights from in silico and in vivo investigations

BACKGROUND

Gastric ulcers represent a worldwide health problem, characterized by erosions that affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and may even reach the muscular layer, leading to serious complications. Numerous natural products have been assessed as anti-ulcerogenic agents, and have been considered as new approaches for treatment or prevention of gastric ulcers. The present research investigated the preventive benefits of Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae), known as celery, seed extract towards indomethacin-induced ulceration of the stomach in rats.

METHODS

Metabolomic profiling, employing liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HR-ESI-MS), was implemented with the aim of investigating the chemical profile of the seeds. Histopathological analysis of gastric tissues, as well as assessment of numerous inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indicators, confirmed the in vivo evaluation.

RESULTS

The prior treatment with A. graveolens seed extract resulted in a substantial reduction in the ulcer index when compared to the indomethacin group, indicating an improvement in stomach mucosal injury. Moreover, the gastroprotective effect was demonstrated through examination of the oxidative stress biomarkers which was significantly attenuated upon pre-treatment with A. graveolens seed extract. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a fundamental angiogenic factor that stimulates angiogenesis, was markedly inhibited by indomethacin. A. graveolens seed extract restored this diminished level of VEGF. The dramatic reductions in NF-κB protein levels indicate a considerable attenuation of the indomethacin-induced IKκB/NF-κB p65 signaling cascade. These activities were also correlated to the tentatively featured secondary metabolites including, phenolic acids, coumarins and flavonoids, previously evidenced to exert potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. According to our network pharmacology study, the identified metabolites annotated 379 unique genes, among which only 17 genes were related to gastric ulcer. The PTGS2, MMP2 and PTGS1 were the top annotated genes related to gastric ulcer. The top biological pathway was the VEGF signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

A. graveolens seed extract possesses significant anti-ulcer activity, similar to famotidine, against gastric lesions induced by indomethacin in rats. It is worth highlighting that the extract overcomes the negative effects of conventional chemical anti-secretory drugs because it does not lower stomach acidity.

Targeting NF-κB/COX-2 signaling by soyasaponin I alleviates diclofenac-induced gastric ulceration in male albino rats

Gastric ulceration is a prevalent worldwide clinical presentation due to altered gastric defense mechanisms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are one of the common causes of gastric ulcers mediated by the release of inflammatory mediators. The study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of soyasaponin I (soya) against diclofenac (DIC)-induced gastric ulcer in rats and to highlight the underlying mechanisms. The experiment was conducted on 40 male Wistar albino rats, equally distributed into five groups: control, DIC-induced ulcer (9 mg/kg/d, orally, twice daily for 3 days), ulcer/soya-, ulcer/ranitidine-, and ulcer/soya/selective nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor (JSH-23)-treated groups. The doses of soya, ranitidine, and JSH were 20, 25, and 5 mg/kg/d, respectively, given orally. Gastric specimens were prepared for gene and histological study and for biochemical analysis of gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), oxidative markers, and inflammatory cytokines. The gastric samples were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), PAS staining, and immunohistochemical assay for identification of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proliferation marker (Ki67) expressions. The findings revealed decreased gastric PGE2 and altered inflammatory and oxidative markers in the ulcer model group. The H&E staining showed mucosal injury characterized by mucosal surface defects and inflammatory cell infiltrations. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry demonstrated an upregulation of NF-κB and COX-2 expression at gene/protein levels; meanwhile, Ki67 downregulation. The soya-treated group showed maintained biochemical, histological, and PCR findings comparable to the ranitidine-treated group. The JSH-23-treated group still showed partial gastric protection with biochemical and immunohistochemical changes. Soyasaponin I ameliorated DIC-induced gastric ulcers by targeting the COX-2 activity through modulation of NF-κB signaling.

Gastroprotective Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Finger Citron Pickled Products against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Damage: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Finger citron pickled products (FCPP), as folk remedies, are famous in southern China for protecting gastric mucosa. However, the gastric mucosa protection of FCPP has not been reported yet, and its effective mechanism is unclear. In this study, the protective mechanism of FCPP aqueous extract on gastric mucosa was investigated in vitro and in vivo for the first time, using human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1) and acute alcoholic gastric ulcer rat model respectively. Furthermore, we also investigated the main substances in the aqueous extract that exert gastroprotective activity using a GES-1 scratch test and basic chemical composition analysis. FCPP aqueous extract was found to play a protective and reparative role in GES-1 by promoting the secretion of trefoil factor thyroid transcription factor 2 (TFF2) and inhibiting the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cells damaged by alcohol. The ulcer index of gastric tissue induced by alcohol was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) after pretreatment with FCPP aqueous extract, indicating that FCPP aqueous extract had a good protective effect on the stomach mucosa. Moreover, FCPP aqueous extract could increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and inhibit malondialdehyde (MDA) content, exhibiting good antioxidant capacity. Aqueous extract of FCPP could also effectively inhibit the increase of cytokines TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum of rats, and promote the increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) to some extent. Furthermore, FCPP aqueous extract could inhibit the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB/P65) protein, caspase-1 protein and IL-1β protein in the gastric tissue of rats, while promoting the expression of IκBα protein, indicating that the gastric mucosa protection effects of FCPP aqueous extract were mainly dependent on the NF-κB/caspase-1/IL-1β axis. The polysaccharides in FCPP aqueous extract might be the main components that exerted gastroprotective activity, as demonstrated by GES-1 cell scratch assay. This study confirmed that FCPP aqueous extract presented promising potential in protecting gastric mucosa and avoiding gastric ulcers, which could provide an experimental basis for further utilizing the medicinal value and developing new products of FCPP.

Amyloid-polysaccharide interfacial coacervates as therapeutic materials

Coacervation via liquid-liquid phase separation provides an excellent opportunity to address the challenges of designing nanostructured biomaterials with multiple functionalities. Protein-polysaccharide coacervates, in particular, offer an appealing strategy to target biomaterial scaffolds, but these systems suffer from the low mechanical and chemical stabilities of protein-based condensates. Here we overcome these limitations by transforming native proteins into amyloid fibrils and demonstrate that the coacervation of cationic protein amyloids and anionic linear polysaccharides results in the interfacial self-assembly of biomaterials with precise control of their structure and properties. The coacervates present a highly ordered asymmetric architecture with amyloid fibrils on one side and the polysaccharide on the other. We demonstrate the excellent performance of these coacervates for gastric ulcer protection by validating via an in vivo assay their therapeutic effect as engineered microparticles. These results point at amyloid-polysaccharides coacervates as an original and effective biomaterial for multiple uses in internal medicine.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh) leaves attenuate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Malus domestica Borkh, the apple tree, exhibited numerous pharmacological properties including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The present work aimed to annotate the secondary metabolites from a butanol fraction of apple leaves (BLE), evaluate the gastro-protective and healing effects of this fraction against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats and to identify its mechanism of action. BLE (100, and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered in rats as an acute treatment against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in comparison with famotidine as reference anti-ulcer drug. The stomachs of rats were collected to determine the ulcer index, the preventive ratio, measure the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and estimate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Furthermore, we evaluated both inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the gastric tissues. We also performed histopathological study of gastric mucosa using H&E stain and periodic Schiff base stain to evaluate both gastric injury scores and gastric mucus content respectively. Pretreatment with BLE markedly lowered the severity of gastric injury induced by indomethacin, decreased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and COX-2 expression in the examined gastric tissues. The gastric healing effect of BLE was associated with increased mucoglycoproteins, and HSP70 expression. Additionally, gastric healing effect of high dose of BLE was superior to that of famotidine in decreasing gastric injury scores, COX-2, inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation and in increasing gastric mucin content, HSP70, and reduced glutathione. These findings indicate that BLE is effective in accelerating ulcer healing by boosting HSP70 expression, and decreasing COX-2 expression, oxidative stress, and gastric inflammation which might be related to the presence of 21 phytoconstituents.

Metabolic Profiling of Heliotropium crispum Aerial Parts Using HPLC and FTIR and In Vivo Evaluation of Its Anti-Ulcer Activity Using an Ethanol Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer Model

This study explored the antiulcer potential of methanol extract and fractions of Heliotropium crispum roots against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Metabolic profiling of H. crispum aerial parts using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of different metabolites with various functional groups. Meanwhile, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of three main peaks assigned to myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In vivo, antiulcer activity results showed that the disease control group displayed five tiny ulcers less than 2 mm in diameter in addition to two hemorrhagic streaks. However, in the standard control group, only one small ulcer was visible for the total methanol extract. Gastric tissues and contents were evaluated to determine many parameters such as ulcer score, ulcer index, percentage inhibition of ulcer, gastric pH, gastric juice volume, and acidity. Results were endorsed by histopathological evaluation; gastric pH and mucus content were significantly increased, but gastric juice volume was significantly decreased. All fractions showed a significant decrease in ulcer index and % inhibition except the n-hexane fraction, whose results were insignificant compared to the disease control group. Thus, it was concluded that H. crispum shows an antiulcer effect by decreasing gastric juice volume and acidity, whereas gastric pH and mucus contents were increased that is attributed to the synergistic action of its detected polyphenolic compounds.

Pentagalloyl Glucose, a Major Compound in Mango Seed Kernel, Exhibits Distinct Gastroprotective Effects in Indomethacin-Induced Gastropathy in Rats via Modulating the NO/eNOS/iNOS Signaling Pathway

Gastric ulcers are a common health disorder that affect up to 10% of the world's population. The gastroprotective potential of pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) against indomethacin-induced ulcer in rats and the possible underlying mechanisms were investigated. Gastric ulceration was induced by indomethacin (single dose, 60 mg/kg). Pretreatment with PGG (100 or 200 mg/kg, orally) for 8 days prior to the administration of indomethacin furnished significant reductions in gastric mucosal lesions as well as a significant increase in mucus concentration. Also, PGG significantly declined the elevations in gastric mucosal MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, PECAM-1, VEGF, and iNOS expression. It also mitigated the decrease in GSH and GPx and eNOS expression observed with indomethacin. The protective effects furnished by PGG were comparable to that of famotidine. The obtained results suggested that the anti-ulcer effects of PGG are mediated by increasing mucus production, scavenging free radicals, decreasing inflammation, and attenuating the NO/NOS signaling in favor of eNOS. To sum up, PGG could provide a potential therapy for gastric ulcer after evaluating its efficacy and effectiveness.

Protective effects of Brownea grandiceps (Jacq.) against ϒ-radiation-induced enteritis in rats in relation to its secondary metabolome fingerprint

Radiation enteritis is the most common complication of radiotherapy in patients with pelvic malignancies. Thus, the radioprotective activity of the total hydro-alcoholic extract (BGE) and the ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EAF) of Brownea grandiceps leaves was evaluated against ϒ-radiation-induced enteritis in rats. (BGE) and (EAF) were characterized using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also quantified. In vivo administration of (BGE) (400 mg/kg) and (EAF) (200 & 400 mg/kg) prevented intestinal injury and maintained the mucosal integrity of irradiated rats through increasing villi length and promoting crypt regeneration. Also, (EAF) showed more potent antioxidant activity than (BGE) through reduction of MDA level and enhancement of GSH content and catalase enzyme activity. (BGE) and (EAF) down-regulated intestinal NF-κB expression leading to diminished expression of downstream inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Moreover, (EAF) markedly reduced the expression of profibrotic marker TGF-β1. Seventy-nine compounds were tentatively identified, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, polar lipids and phenolic acids. (EAF) showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as compared to (BGE). Results revealed remarkable radioprotective activity of (BGE) and (EAF), with significantly higher activity for (EAF). The chemical constituents of (BGE) and (EAF) strongly supported their radioprotective activity. To the best of our knowledge, the present study describes for the first time the radioprotective activity of B. grandiceps leaves in relation to its secondary metabolome fingerprint; emphasizing the great promise of B. grandiceps leaves, especially (EAF), to be used as natural radio-protective agent.

Gastroprotective effect and mechanisms of Chinese sumac fruits (Rhus chinensis Mill.) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice

This paper aimed to study the effect of the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice and to further elucidate the potential mechanisms. The results showed that the phenol-rich fraction of the fruits significantly decreased the ulcer index, restored the levels of prostaglandin E-2, heat shock protein 70, glutathione and superoxide dismutase, and reduced the malondialdehyde content. Further analyses revealed that the fraction significantly alleviated the gastric oxidative stress by upregulating the Nrf2 protein pathway to increase the HO-1 and NQO1 expression levels, suppressed the inflammation by reducing the expression levels of p-NF-κB and p-IκBα and inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. In addition, the fraction remarkably prevented gastric mucous cell apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 and downregulating Bax and cleaved caspase3. This experiment clarified for the first time that the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits can prevent ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice by inhibiting the oxidative stress, inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. The results obtained from the current work indicated that the phenol-rich fraction from Chinese sumac fruits could be applied as a kind of natural resource for producing new functional foods to prevent and/or improve gastric ulcers induced by ethanol.

Syzygium samarangense leaf extract mitigates indomethacin-induced gastropathy via the NF-κB signaling pathway in rats

We previously profiled the chemical composition of wax apple, Syzygium samarangense, leaf extract using HR-LC-MS/MS and reported its antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antitrypanosomal activities. The plant is widely used in traditional medicine to cure several ailments like bronchitis, asthma, diabetes, fever, pathogenic infections, gut spasms, as well as renal diseases. However, neither the gastroprotective effects nor the underlying mechanisms were explored. Here, we investigated the gastroprotective potential of the leaf extract on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats and explored the involved mechanism(s) of action. Administration of indomethacin significantly increased the ulcer index, mucosal injury, the gastric levels of the inflammatory markers nuclear factor kabba B-p65(NF-κB p65), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) and Caspase-3 expression. It reduced the gastric levels of the endogenous antioxidants glutathione as well peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH) and the gastric mucosal protective factors, mucus secretion and goblet cells. Pretreatment with the leaf extract displayed a prominent decrease in the ulcer index, inflammatory cell infiltration, inflammatory markers, MDA, protein expression of Caspase-3 and a significant increase in the gastric levels of the endogenous antioxidants, mucus content and goblet cell proliferation when compared to the indomethacin group. The individual secondary metabolites of the extract exhibited low binding energy when docked into the prostaglandin receptors EP3 and EP4. This study revealed the gastroprotective effect of S. samarangense on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The gastroprotective effects might be attributed to cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities with a possible potential of activating EP3 and EP4 receptors. In conclusion, S. samarangense has a promising potential in the prevention of NSAIDs-induced ulcers.