Inflammatory bowel disease: An Indian perspective

Gut bacterial quorum sensing molecules and their association with inflammatory bowel disease: Advances and future perspectives

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an enduring inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The complexity of IBD, its profound impact on patient's quality of life, and its burden on healthcare systems necessitate continuing studies to elucidate its etiology, refine care strategies, improve treatment outcomes, and identify potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions. The discovery of a connection between IBD and gut bacterial quorum sensing (QS) molecules has opened exciting opportunities for research into IBD pathophysiology. QS molecules are small chemical messengers synthesized and released by bacteria based on population density. These chemicals are sensed not only by the microbial species but also by host cells and are essential in gut homeostasis. QS molecules are now known to interact with inflammatory pathways, therefore rendering them potential therapeutic targets for IBD management. Given these intriguing developments, the most recent research findings in this area are herein reviewed. First, the global burden of IBD and the disruptions of the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier associated with the disease are assessed. Next, the general QS mechanism and signaling molecules in the gut are discussed. Then, the roles of QS molecules and their connection with IBD are elucidated. Lastly, the review proposes potential QS-based therapeutic targets for IBD, offering insights into the future research trajectory in this field.

Prospective therapeutic targets and recent advancements in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) poses a persistent challenge in the realm of gastroenterology, necessitating continual exploration of innovative treatment strategies. The limited efficacy and potential side effects associated with existing therapeutic modalities underscore the urgent need for novel approaches in IBD management. This study aims to examine potential therapeutic targets and recent advancements in understanding the disease's intricate pathogenesis, with a spotlight on the gut microbiome, immune dysregulation, and genetic predispositions.

METHODS

A comprehensive review was conducted to delve into the pressing demand for new avenues in IBD treatment. The study examined potential therapeutic targets such as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, immune system modulators, Tyrosine kinase receptors (TYK), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), modulation of the gut microbiota, stem cell therapy, fibrosis management, interleukins (ILs) regulation, and oxidative stress mitigation. Additionally, advances in precision medicine, biologics, small molecule inhibitors, and microbiome modulation techniques were explored.

RESULTS

The investigation unveiled promising therapeutic targets and provided insights into recent breakthroughs that herald a transformative era in the therapeutic landscape for IBD. Advances in precision medicine, biologics, small molecule inhibitors, and the exploration of microbiome modulation techniques stood out as pivotal milestones in the field of gastroenterology.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings offer renewed hope for enhanced efficacy, reduced side effects, and improved patient outcomes in the treatment of IBD. These innovative approaches necessitate continual exploration and underscore the urgent need for novel strategies in IBD management, potentially revolutionizing the realm of gastroenterology.

Ameliorative effect of nodakenin in combating TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis by suppressing NFƙB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an enduring and complex inflammatory bowel disease that is clinically prevalent, progressive, and debilitating. As of now, the few effective medical treatments for UC have unacceptably high side effects. It is crucial to find safer and more effective UC treatments. Nodakenin possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity by suppressing several pro-inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the colonoprotective effect of nodakenin in combating colitis through the NFƙB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In mice, UC was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Nodakenin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) was introduced intragastrically, and disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) levels, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration were evaluated in colon homogenate. Colon samples were used for histopathological investigation and mRNA expression studies involving nuclear factor kappa B (NFƙB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), nucleotide-binding receptor domain 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). Nodakenin treatment was found effective in lowering the DAI score, histological score, MPO, MDA, and NO levels while elevating SOD levels as compared to the model control group, showcasing its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nodakenin (40 mg/kg) significantly downregulated the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, NFƙB (1.24-fold), iNOS (1.2-fold), COX-2 (1.98-fold), NLRP3 (1.78-fold), IL-1β (1.29-fold), and IL-18 (1.17-fold) conferring its great anti-inflammatory potential in combating colitis. Taking together, nodakenin presumably alleviated TNBS-induced colitis by NFƙB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and reduced colon damage by downregulating various transcriptional genes and pro-inflammatory mediators.

Isoquercitrin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and intestinal flora

Intestinal mucosal barrier damage is closely associated with the development of several intestinal inflammatory diseases. Isoquercitrin (IQ) is a natural flavonoid compound derived from plants, which exhibits high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with minimal side effects in humans. Therefore, it shows great potential for preventing and treating intestinal mucosal barrier damage. This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of IQ on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice. The mice were treated with IQ for 7 days and then injected with LPS to induce intestinal mucosal barrier damage. The results revealed that IQ treatment alleviated LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice, which can be evidenced by the improvements in intestinal morphology and the promotion of expression in intestinal tight junctions (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), as well as MUC2 mucin. IQ also attenuated intestinal inflammatory responses by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression and plasma levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, IQ significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Dubosiella, Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibaculum rodentium, while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Mucispirillum schaedleri in the intestinal flora of mice. Consequently, IQ can alleviate the LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and modulating the intestinal flora.

Role of CD34 in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is caused by a variety of pathogenic factors, including chronic recurrent inflammation of the ileum, rectum, and colon. Immune cells and adhesion molecules play an important role in the course of the disease, which is actually an autoimmune disease. During IBD, CD34 is involved in mediating the migration of a variety of immune cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells) to the inflammatory site, and its interaction with various adhesion molecules is involved in the occurrence and development of IBD. Although the function of CD34 as a partial cell marker is well known, little is known on its role in IBD. Therefore, this article describes the structure and biological function of CD34, as well as on its potential mechanism in the development of IBD.

Probiotic treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Its extent and intensity

Free radicals (reactive oxygen species, superoxides and hydroxyl radicals) lead to the development of oxidative stress because of imbalance in the amount of antioxidants. Continued development of oxidative stress leads to chronic diseases in humans. The instability in the antioxidant activities and accumulation of oxidative stress due to free radicals may occur in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Antioxidants are substances that inhibit or delay the mechanism of oxidation of molecules mediated by free radicals and also transform into lesser-active derivatives. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that show beneficial effects on inflamed intestine and balance the inflammatory immune responses in the gut. Probiotic strains have been reported to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions that are abundantly produced during oxidative stress. The most widely studied probiotic strains are Streptococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Probiotics cultured in broth have shown some amount of antioxidant activities. Fermented milk and soy milk, which possess starter microorganisms (probiotics), tends to increase the antioxidant activities many-fold. This review aims to discuss the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activities of specific probiotics with various assays with respect to IBD.

Identification of potentially bioactive compounds from Blumea lacera essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and molecular docking studies for targeting inflammatory bowel disease

Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC. (Asteraceae) is used in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of inflammation or irritable bowel disease (IBD). In this study, B. lacera was collected from different geographical regions and oil was extracted by hydro-distillation and further chemo-profiled using GC-FID-MS. The major compounds identified were 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (28.7-0.4%), β-caryophyllene (25.5-0.5%), carvotanacetone (24.5-0.4%), chrysanthenone (21.9-9.8%) and 2,6-dimethyl phenol (11.4-1.8%). The constituents of B. lacera also showed marked qualitative and quantitative variations. The percent chemical similarity was observed to be in the range of 51.7% to 59.2% between the localities. Moreover, molecular modelling, membrane molecular dynamics simulations, target prediction were implemented to decipher the potential targets relevant to IBD. This inferred that all these major compounds could be potential drug moieties for treating IBD in terms of targeting h5HTR3A, thereby substantiating the traditional use of B. lacera for the treatment of IBD ailments.