Lupin Protein Concentrate as a Novel Functional Food Additive That Can Reduce Colitis-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Natural approaches for the management of ulcerative colitis: evidence of preclinical and clinical investigations

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation in the mucosal lining of the lower part of the large intestine. Conventional treatment options such as salicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants often come with severe side effects, limited bioavailability, and the development of drug resistance, which hampers their therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, it is imperative to explore natural strategies as safe and alternative treatments for UC. Currently, around 40% of UC patients find relief through natural constituents, which can help reduce toxic side effects and maintain clinical remission. This review aims to provide a summary of both preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of various natural substances in the prophylaxis of UC. These natural options include plant extracts, essential oils, nutraceuticals, and phytochemicals. Furthermore, we will delve into the potential mechanisms that underlie the protective and curative actions of these novel herbal agents. In summary, this review will explore the effectiveness of natural remedies for UC, shedding light on their preclinical and clinical findings and the mechanisms behind their therapeutic actions. These alternatives offer hope for improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects for individuals suffering from this challenging autoimmune condition.

Microcapsules based on biological macromolecules for intestinal health: A review

Intestinal dysfunction is becoming increasingly associated with neurological and endocrine issues, raising concerns about its impact on world health. With the introduction of several breakthrough technologies for detecting and treating intestinal illnesses, significant progress has been made in the previous few years. On the other hand, traditional intrusive diagnostic techniques are expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, the efficacy of conventional drugs (not capsules) is reduced since they are more likely to degrade before reaching their target. In this context, microcapsules based on different types of biological macromolecules have been used to encapsulate active drugs and sensors to track intestinal ailments and address these issues. Several biomacromolecules/biomaterials (natural protein, alginate, chitosan, cellulose and RNA etc.) are widely used for make microcapsules for intestinal diseases, and can significantly improve the therapeutic effect and reduce adverse reactions. This article systematically summarizes microencapsulated based on biomacromolecules material for intestinal health control and efficacy enhancement. It also discusses the application and mechanism research of microencapsulated biomacromolecules drugs in reducing intestinal inflammation, in addition to covering the preparation techniques of microencapsulated drug delivery systems used for intestinal health. Microcapsule delivery systems' limits and potential applications for intestinal disease diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance were highlighted.

Deflamin Attenuated Lung Tissue Damage in an Ozone-Induced COPD Murine Model by Regulating MMP-9 Catalytic Activity

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is comprised of histopathological alterations such as pulmonary emphysema and peribronchial fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is one of the key enzymes involved in both types of tissue remodeling during the development of lung damage. In recent studies, it was demonstrated that deflamin, a protein component extracted from Lupinus albus, markedly inhibits the catalytic activity of MMP-9 in experimental models of colon adenocarcinoma and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated for the first time the biological effect of deflamin in a murine COPD model induced by chronic exposure to ozone. Ozone exposure was carried out in C57BL/6 mice twice a week for six weeks for 3 h each time, and the treated group was orally administered deflamin (20 mg/kg body weight) after each ozone exposure. The histological results showed that deflamin attenuated pulmonary emphysema and peribronchial fibrosis, as evidenced by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Furthermore, deflamin administration significantly decreased MMP-9 activity, as assessed by fluorogenic substrate assay and gelatin zymography. Interestingly, bioinformatic analysis reveals a plausible interaction between deflamin and MMP-9. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of deflamin in a COPD murine model, and suggest that the attenuation of the development of lung tissue damage occurs by deflamin-regulated MMP-9 catalytic activity.

Therapeutic Potential of Deflamin against Colorectal Cancer Development and Progression

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that play a crucial role in tumor microenvironment remodeling, contributing to inflammatory and angiogenic processes, and ultimately promoting tumor maintenance and progression. Several studies on bioactive polypeptides isolated from legumes have shown anti-migratory, anti-MMPs, and anti-tumor effects, potentially constituting novel strategies for both the prevention and progression of cancer. In this work, we investigated the anti-tumor role of deflamin, a protein oligomer isolated from white lupine seeds (Lupinus albus) reported to inhibit MMP-9 and cell migration in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. We found that deflamin exerts an inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis formation, contributing to increased tumor apoptosis in the xenotransplanted zebrafish larvae model. Furthermore, deflamin resulted not only in a significant reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity but also in impaired cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. Using the xenograft zebrafish model, we observed that deflamin inhibits collagen degradation and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment in vivo. Overall, our work reveals the potential of deflamin as an agent against CRC development and progression.

How to place the duality of specific MMP-9 inhibition for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases into clinical opportunities?

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with the involvement of immune cells and molecules, including cytokines, chemokines and proteases. A previous extensive review about the molecular biology of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs), related to intestinal barrier destruction and restoration functions in IBD, is here complemented with the literature from the last five years. We also compare IBD as a prototypic mucosal inflammation of an epithelial barrier against microorganisms with inflammatory retinopathy as a disease with a barrier dysfunction at the level of blood vessels. Multiple reasons are at the basis of halting clinical trials with monoclonal antibodies against MMP-9 for IBD treatment. These include (i) the absence of a causative role of MMP-9 in the pathology in animal models of IBD, (ii) the fact that endotoxins, crossing the intestinal barrier, induce massive local release of both neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8) and gelatinase B (MMP-9), (iii) insufficient recognition that MMPs modify the activities of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors, (iv) ignorance that MMPs exist as mixtures of proteoforms with different posttranslational modifications and with different specific activities and (v) the fact that MMPs and TIMPs act in an interactive network, possibly having also beneficial effects on IBD evolution. Nevertheless, inhibition of MMPs may be a useful therapeutic approach during specific IBD disease phases or in specific sub-phenotypes. This temporary “window of opportunity” for MMP-9 inhibition may be complemented by a locoregional one, provided that the pharmacological agents are targeted in time to affected tissues, as is achieved in ophthalmological inflammation. Thus, in order to discover spatial and temporal windows of opportunity for MMP inhibition as treatment of IBD, more preclinical work including well controlled animal studies will be further needed. In this respect, MMP-9/NGAL complex analysis in various body compartments is helpful for better stratification of IBD patients who may benefit from anti-MMP-9.

"Theranekron: A Novel Anti-inflammatory Candidate for Acetic Acid-Induced Colonic Inflammation in Rats"

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized with chronic inflammation of gastrointestinal track. In the pathogenesis of IBD, inflammation is the main mechanism. Induction of inflammation triggers the oxidative stress that subsequently leading to apoptosis. Considering the all pathological mechanisms, many therapeutic agents have been used for IBD but because of serious side effects there is still a need for new therapeutic drugs. In this study, we aim to evaluate the possible protective effects of Theranekron (TH) on acetic acid (AA)- induced colonic damage and to describe the probable effect mechanisms of TH.

MATERIALS AND RESULTS

Fourty female adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups. Following 24 h fasting, colitis was induced by rectal instillation of AA. In TH group, a single dose of subcutaneous 0.2 ml TH was used. In treatment groups, 0.2 ml TH single dose or 100 mg/kg sulfasalazine (SS) for 7 days were used after colitis induction. Normal salin was used for all applications in control group. Histopathologically hemorrhage, edema and inflammatory reactions were seen in AA group. TH and SS decreased the severity of lesions. Nuclear factor kappa B, Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, Growth-related oncogene, and Osteopontin expressions were markedly increased in AA group and TH markedly reduced these expressions. In Western analysis, decreased NF-kB and caspase-3 levels were observed with TH. Oxidative markers did not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

TH has a prominent anti-inflammatory effect on AA-induced colonic inflammation via NF-kB signaling whereas antiapoptic effects seem to be independent from this pathway.