Reversing gastric mucosal alterations during ethanol-induced chronic gastritis in rats by oral administration of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage

Opuntia spp. in Human Health: A Comprehensive Summary on Its Pharmacological, Therapeutic and Preventive Properties. Part 2

Plants of the genus Opuntia spp are widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Australia and America. Specifically, Mexico has the largest number of wild species; mainly O. streptacantha, O. hyptiacantha, O. albicarpa, O. megacantha and O. ficus-indica. The latter being the most cultivated and domesticated species. Its main bioactive compounds include pigments (carotenoids, betalains and betacyanins), vitamins, flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin) and phenolic compounds. Together, they favor the different plant parts and are considered phytochemically important and associated with control, progression and prevention of some chronic and infectious diseases. Part 1 collected information on its preventive actions against atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, hepatoprotection, effects on human infertility and chemopreventive capacity. Now, this second review (Part 2), compiles the data from published research (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies) on its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerative, antimicrobial, antiviral potential and in the treatment of skin wounds. The aim of both reviews is to provide scientific evidences of its beneficial properties and to encourage health professionals and researchers to expand studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Opuntia spp.

Identifying the active compounds and mechanism of action of Banxia Xiexin decoction for treating ethanol-induced chronic gastritis using network pharmacology combined with UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS

BACKGROUND

Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD), a traditionally prescribed Chinese medicine, has been used to treat chronic gastritis for many years. However, the underlying mechanism and targets for its effects remain unknown. In the present study, we predicted the targets and active compounds of BXD in the treatment of chronic gastritis through network pharmacology and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS).

METHOD

A chronic gastritis model was established in rats by oral administration of 56 % ethanol. BXD was orally administered for 7 days. Stomach tissues were collected for histopathological analysis, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS was established to analyse compounds in rat plasma following oral BXD administration. The absorbed ingredients were selected as candidate active compounds. The chronic gastritis-related targets were screened using multiple databases. The potential targets for the treatment of chronic gastritis were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and were also analysed using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Finally, molecular docking was used to uncover the interaction between multi-components and putative targets, and the results were verified by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

RESULTS

Intragastric administration of BXD ameliorated stomach injury resulting from chronic gastritis in rats and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-8, and LDH. A comprehensive systematic strategy was used to successfully identify 38 candidate targets and 14 active compounds in BXD. Based on the network of compounds-targets and PPI, three hub genes that were associated with BXD therapy for chronic gastritis were selected and included intercellular adhesion molecule-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14. The results of molecular docking and SPR demonstrated that the active compounds in BXD demonstrate affinity for these targets. Additionally, an enrichment analysis revealed that treatment of chronic gastritis with BXD primarily involves cytokine activation, the inflammatory response and nuclear factor-kappa B, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein-serine-threonine kinase and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signalling pathways, which may mediate the effects of BXD in the treatment of chronic gastritis.

CONCLUSION

BXD exhibits a therapeutic effect in ethanol-induced gastritis through multi-compound, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms. A strategy of network pharmacology combined with SPR may provide a feasible approach to explore the targets of herbal medicine and uncover novel bioactive components.

Sopa de elote (Zea mays) tipo crema con mucílago de nopal (Opuntia spp.) como espesante, sus características físicas y aceptación sensorial

El mucílago de nopal (Opuntia spp.) es un polisacárido calificado como nutracéutico por sus efectos positivos en la fisiología de los humanos. Por otro lado, el mucílago puede usarse como espesante, ya que al hidratarse forma hidrocoloides. El objetivo de este estudio fue adicionar mucílago de nopal a la sopa de elote tipo crema y evaluar su efecto espesante y aceptación sensorial. El mucílago se extrajo de cladodios de Opuntia spp. de las variantesAtlixco, Milpa Alta, Toluca, Tobarito y Tuna Blanca. Las concentraciones evaluadas fueron 0.7 y 1.0% y se incluyó almidón como testigo. Con algunas excepciones, la sopa de los 10 tratamientos con mucílago mostró pH (entre 6.09 y 6.32) y viscosidad (entre 6.043 y 1.623 Pa s) sin diferencias significativas (p > 0.05) respecto a los testigos; además, mostró la misma saturación (entre 17.47º y 18.49º), mayor luminosidad (entre 46.15 y 47.72º) y menos color (entre 78.36 y 79.52º). La aceptabilidad sensorial por viscosidad, excepto con mucílago de Atlixco y de Toluca (17 y 7% menor, respectivamente), y la aceptabilidad sensorial global con el mucílago, de las cinco variantes fue hasta 19% menor que la de los testigos. Tendrá que ponderarse el beneficio de adicionar mucílago de nopal a la sopa de elote, para usarse como alimento funcional, sobre su aceptabilidad global.

The Effect of Cladode Drying Techniques on the Prebiotic Potential and Molecular Characteristics of the Mucilage Extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia joconostle

The dry, powdered cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica are often-used in over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical formulations. Gentle drying techniques, such as lyophilization and vacuum drying are compared with convection drying for the cladodes and also compared with another species of economic importance, Opuntia joconostle. The heteropolysaccharide purified from the mucilage extracted from the dried powders were investigated in their monosaccharide composition (HPAEC-PAD, TLC), mineral and protein content, molecular dimensions (SEC) and fermentability by probiotic bacteria (Bioscreen technique) for evaluation of the prebiotic potential of the mucilage. The heteropolysaccharide is composed of galactose, arabinose, xylose, galacturonic acid and rhamnose. O. ficus-indica includes an additional 13% of glucose coming from an α-glucan. The content of Ca (0.3%) and Mg (0.4%) is relatively low in both species; the content of protein adds up to 1.5% in O. ficus-indica but is significantly lower in O. joconostle with 0.8%. The average molecular mass Mw of the extracted mucilage ranges from 3.7 to 4.7 × 105 g∙mol−1 for both species; only the mucilage from long-time convection drying (C2) delivers a lower average Mw of 2.6 × 105 g∙mol−1, due to partial breakdown of the mucilage matrix. All tested probiotic strains utilized the mucilage to some extent; C2 being the most active, and thus confirms the prebiotic potential of cladode’s powder and its derived products. In general, the molecular dimensions and prebiotic potential are not extremely sensitive to the drying treatment, yet temperature and drying time can modify the cladode’s powder to a profile with better prebiotic characteristics.

High α-tocopherol dosing increases lipid metabolism by changing redox state in damaged rat gastric mucosa and liver after ethanol treatment

Regeneration of ethanol-injured rat gastric mucosa must undergo changes in major metabolic pathways to achieve DNA replication and cell proliferation. These events are highly dependent on glucose utilization and inhibited by vitamin E (VE) (α-tocopherol) administration. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing lipid metabolism in the gastric mucosa and ethanol-induced gastric damage and the effect of α-tocopherol administration. For this, rates of fatty acid β-oxidation and lipogenesis were tested in gastric mucosa samples. Through histological analysis, we found loss of the mucosa's superficial epithelium, which became gradually normalized during the recovery period. Proliferation of gastric mucosa occurred with augmented formation of β-oxidation by-products, diminished synthesis of triacylglycerols (TGs), as well as of phospholipids, and a reduced cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio, whereas the mitochondrial redox NAD/NADH ratio was much less affected. In addition, α-tocopherol increased palmitic acid utilization in the gastric mucosa, which was accompanied by the induction of 'mirror image' effects on the cell redox state, reflected in an inhibited cell gastric mucosa proliferation by the vitamin administration. In conclusion, the present study shows, for the first time, the role of lipid metabolism in the adaptive cell gastric mucosa changes that drive proliferation after a chronic insult. Moreover, α-tocopherol increased gastric mucosa utilization of palmitic acid associated with energy production. These events could be associated with its antioxidant properties in co-ordination with regulation of genes and cell pathways, including changes in the cell NAD/NADH redox state.

Hepatoprotective Flavonoids in Opuntia ficus-indica Fruits by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Primary Rat Hepatocytes

BACKGROUND

Liver disorder was associated with alcohol consumption caused by hepatic cellular damages. Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extracts (OFIEs), which contain betalain pigments and polyphenols including flavonoids, have been introduced as reducing hangover symptoms and liver protective activity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate hepatoprotective activity of OFIEs and isolated compounds by high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extract of O. ficus-indica fruits was fractionated into methylene chloride and n-butanol. The n-butanol fraction was isolated by HSCCC separation (methylene chloride-methanol-n-butanol-water, 5:4:3:5, v/v/v/v). The hepatoprotective activity of OFIEs and isolated compounds was evaluated on rat primary hepatocytes against ethanol-induced toxicity. Antioxidative parameters such as glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P_x) enzymes and the GSH content were measured.

RESULTS

Two flavonoids, quercetin 3-O-methyl ester (1) and (+)-taxifolin, and two flavonoid glycosides, isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (3) and narcissin (4), were isolated from the n-butanol fraction by HSCCC separation. Among them, compound 2 significantly protected rat primary hepatocytes against ethanol exposure by preserving antioxidative properties of GR and GSH-P_x.

CONCLUSIONS

OFIEs and (+)-taxifolin were suggested to reduce hepatic damage by alcoholic oxidative stress.

SUMMARY

Hepatoprotective Flavonoids were isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica by high -speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC).

Nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a source of bioactive compounds for nutrition, health and disease

Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly referred to as prickly pear or nopal cactus, is a dicotyledonous angiosperm plant. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and is characterized by its remarkable adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. In the last decade, compelling evidence for the nutritional and health benefit potential of this cactus has been provided by academic scientists and private companies. Notably, its rich composition in polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids has been highlighted through the use of a large panel of extraction methods. The identified natural cactus compounds and derivatives were shown to be endowed with biologically relevant activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties. The present review is aimed at stressing the major classes of cactus components and their medical interest through emphasis on some of their biological effects, particularly those having the most promising expected health benefit and therapeutic impacts.

Preventive effects of geranylgeranylacetone on rat ethanol-induced gastritis

AIM: To establish a rat ethanol gastritis model, we evaluated the effects of ethanol on gastric mucosa and studied the preventive effects of geranylgeranylacetone on ethanol-induced chronic gastritis.

METHODS: One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: normal control group, undergoing gastric perfusion of normal saline (NS) by gastrogavage; model control group and 2 model therapy groups that underwent gastric perfusion with ethanol (distillate spirits with 56% ethanol content) by gastrogavage for 4 wk. Low or high doses of geranylgeranylacetone were added 1 h before ethanol perfusion in the 2 model therapy groups, while the same amount of NS, instead of geranylgeranylacetone was used in that model control group. The rats were then sacrificed and stomachs were removed. The injury level of the gastric mucosa was observed by light and electron microscopy, and the levels of prostaglandin 2 (PGE₂), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by radioimmunoassay and the Griess method.

RESULTS: The gastric mucosal epidermal damage score (EDS; 4.5) and ulcer index (UI; 12.0) of the model control group were significantly higher than that of the normal control group (0 and 0 respectively, all P = 0.000). The gastric mucosal EDS and UI of the 2 model therapy groups (EDS: 2.5 and 2.0; UI: 3.5 and 3.0) were significantly lower than that of the model control group (all P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the low-dose and high-dose model therapy groups. The expression value of plasma ET-1 of the model control group was higher than that of the normal control group (P < 0.01) and the 2 model therapy groups (all P < 0.01). The expression values of gastric mucosal PGE₂ and serum NO of the model control group were lower than those of the normal control group (all P < 0.05) and the 2 model therapy groups (all P < 0.05). The thickness of the gastric mucous layerand the hexosamine content in the model control group were significantly lower than that in the normal control group (all P < 0.01) and the 2 model therapy groups (all P < 0.05). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy observation showed that in the model control group, the epithelial junctions were vague, the intercellular joints disappeared and damage of the intracellular organelles were significantly worse than those in the normal control group. However, in the 2 model therapy groups, damage to the intercellular joints and organelles was ameliorate relative to the model control group.

CONCLUSION: Administration of geranylgeranylacetone was correlated with a more favorable pattern of gastric mucosa damage after ethanol perfusion. The mechanism could be related to regulation of ET-1, NO and PGE₂.

Caco-2 cell line as a model to evaluate mucoprotective proprieties

Physical protection of mucosa surface and reduction of inflammatory processes are currently considered the main strategies in the treatment and prevention of mucosal diseases. However, the majority of models used to verify the activity of new mucoprotective agents are based on limiting instrumental assessment or the sacrifice of experimental animals. In this study, for the first time, some in vitro experimental methods using Caco-2 cell line are proposed as predicting in vivo behaviour and action of mucoprotective agents. To this purpose, hyaluronic acid and natural polysaccharides for their bioadhesive activity, hydrocortisone and natural polyphenols as anti-inflammatory agents have been chosen. The obtained results demonstrated that the techniques (Con A/o-pd assay and Franz cell system) of mucoadhesive evaluation on Caco-2 cells are useful to compare the activity of each experimental sample and to assess the adhesion time to the mucosal cell surface. Moreover, the reduction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in Caco-2 cells can be considered directly correlated to the mucosal anti-inflammatory effect induced by the hydrocortisone and natural polyphenols. In conclusion, the study supported the use of Caco-2 cell as a model to compare and investigate the effect of different active substances on the mucosa and its diseases.

Role of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurons and non-protein sulphydryl groups on gastroprotective effect of amifostine against ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats

BACKGROUND

Amifostine has been widely tested as a cytoprotective agent against a number of aggressors in different organs. Recently, a gastroprotective effect was observed for this drug in a model of indomethacin-induced gastric injury. Our objective was to investigate the effect of amifostine on ethanol-induced gastric injury and the role played in this mechanism by afferent sensory neurons, non-protein sulfhydryl groups, nitric oxide, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and cyclooxygenase-2.

METHODS

Rats were treated with amifostine (22.5, 45, 90, or 180 mg/kg, PO or SC). After 30 min, the rats received absolute ethanol (5 ml kg(-1), PO). One hour later, gastric damage was quantified with a planimeter. Samples from the stomach were also taken for histopathological assessment and for assays of non-protein sulfhydryl groups. The other groups were pretreated with L-NAME (10 mg kg(-1), IP), glibenclamide (10 mg kg(-1), PO), or celecoxib (10 mg kg(-1), PO). After 30 min, the animals were given amifostine (90 mg kg(-1), PO or SC), followed 30 min later by gavage with absolute ethanol (5 ml kg(-1)). Other rats were desensitized with capsaicin (125 mg kg(-1), SC) 8 days prior to amifostine treatment.

RESULTS

Amifostine administration PO and SC significantly and dose-dependently reduced ethanol-induced macroscopic and microscopic gastric damage by restoring glutathione levels in the stomach mucosa. Amifostine-promoted gastroprotection against ethanol-induced stomach injury was reversed by pretreatment with neurotoxic doses of capsaicin, but not by L-NAME, glibenclamide, or celecoxib.

CONCLUSIONS

Amifostine protects against ethanol-induced gastric injury by increasing glutathione levels and stimulating the afferent sensory neurons in the stomach.