CPW partially attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology is not fully understood, but environmental, microbial, and immunologic factors, as well as a genetic predisposition, play a role. UC is characterized by episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, severe colonic inflammation, and ulceration. Despite the increase in the frequency of UC and the deterioration of the quality of life, there are still patients who do not respond well to available treatment options. Against this background, natural products such as polysaccharides are becoming increasingly important as they protect the intestinal mucosa, promote wound healing, relieve inflammation and pain, and restore intestinal motility. In this study, we investigated the effect of a polysaccharide isolated from the biomass of Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens (here referred to as CPW) in an experimental model of acute and chronic ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). CPW reversed weight loss, increased disease activity index (DAI), bloody diarrhea, and colon shortening. In addition, CPW reduced visceral mechanical hypersensitivity, controlled oxidative stress and inflammation, and protected the mucosal barrier. CPW is not absorbed in the intestine, does not inhibit cytochrome P450 proteins, and does not exhibit AMES toxicity. These results suggest that CPW attenuates DSS-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice and may be a potential alternative treatment for UC.

Structural characterization, antifungal and cytotoxic profiles of quaternized heteropolysaccharide from Anadenanthera colubrina.

In the present work, we investigated the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against fungal strains (Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Microsporum canis, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans), and cytotoxicity to normal cell lines for modified red angico gum (AG) with eterifying agent N-chloride (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium (CHPTAC). Quaternized ammonium groups were linked to AG backbone using N-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride. The chemical features of the quaternized gum derivatives (QAG) were analyzed by: FTIR, elemental analysis, Zeta potential and gel permeation chromatography. The angico quaternizated gum presented a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.22 and Zeta potential of +36.43. For the antifungal test, it was observed that unmodified gum did not inhibit fungal growth. While, QAG inhibited the growth of most fungi used in this study. By AFM technique QAG interacted with the fungal surface, altering wall roughness significantly. The probable affinity of fragments of the QAG structure for the fungal enzyme 5I33 (Adenylosuccinate synthetase) has been shown by molecular docking. Low cytotoxicity was observed for polymers (unmodified gum and QAG). The results demonstrate that the quaternized polymer of AG presented in this study is a quite promising biomaterial for biotechnological applications.