Liver and intestinal protective effects of Castanea sativa Mill. bark extract in high-fat diet rats.

The effects of Castanea sativa Mill. have been studied in high fat diet (HFD) overweight rats. Natural Extract of Chestnut bark (Castanea sativa Mill.) (ENC®), rich in ellagitannins, has been studied in 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided in four groups. Two groups were controls: regular (RD) and HDF diet. Two groups received ENC® (20 mg/kg/day): RD + ENC® and HFD + ENC®. At baseline and at 7, 14 and 21 days, weight gain, serum lipids, plasma cytokines, liver histology, microsomial enzymes and oxidation, intestinal oxidative stress and contractility were studied. HFD increased body weight, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, induced hepatocytes microvescicular steatosis, altered microsomial, increased liver and intestinal oxidative stress, deranged intestinal contractility. In HFD-fed rats, ENC® exerted antiadipose and antioxidative activities and normalized intestinal contractility, suggesting a potential approach to overweight management associated diseases.

In vitro activity of Spirulina platensis water extract against different Candida species isolated from vulvo-vaginal candidiasis cases.

The high incidence of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis, combined with the growing problems about azole resistance and toxicity of antifungal drugs, highlights the need for the development of new effective strategies for the treatment of this condition. In this context, natural compounds represent promising alternatives. The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, a blue-green alga, exhibits antimicrobial activities against several microorganisms. Nevertheless, only few data about the antifungal properties of Spirulina platensis are available and its potential toxic effects have not been largely investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of a fully-characterized water extract of Spirulina platensis against 22 strains of Candida spp. Prior to considering its potential topical use, we both investigated whether the extract exerted target activities on guinea pig uterine smooth muscle, and the impact of Spirulina platensis on the dominant microorganisms of the vaginal microbiota (i.e., lactobacilli), in order to exclude possible adverse events. By means of a broth microdilution assay, we found that the microalga extract possesses good antifungal properties (MIC: 0.125-0.5 mg/ml), against all the Candida species with a fungicidal activity. At the concentrations active against candida, Spirulina platensis did not modify the spontaneous basic waves pattern of uterine myometrium as underlined by the absence of aberrant contractions, and did not affect the main health-promoting bacteria of the vaginal ecosystem. Finally, we evaluated the selectivity index of our extract by testing its cytotoxicity on three different cell lines and it showed values ranging between 2 and 16. Further in vivo studies are needed, in particular to evaluate the use of control-release formulations in order to maintain Spirulina platensis concentrations at anti-Candida active doses but below the toxic levels found in the present work.

Newer Insights into the Antidiarrheal Effects of Acacia catechu Willd. Extract in Guinea Pig.

Acacia catechu Willd. is a plant diffused in India and other Asian countries, where it is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments including diarrhea, one of the most common pathologies worldwide. In this study, we determined the chemical composition of Acacia catechu Willd. extract (AC) and evaluated its effect on spontaneous and induced contractility in isolated guinea pig ileum and proximal colon. Preliminary data about its antimicrobial effect against some pathogen agents versus some microbiota intestinal strain have been also reported. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of catechins, such as (-)-Epicatechin and (+)-Catechin. AC extract reduced frequency and amplitude of colon smooth muscle spontaneous contractility, in a concentration-dependent manner. A weaker effect of the extract was exerted toward ileum smooth muscle spontaneous contractility. The observed calcium antagonistic effect was more potent in proximal colon than in ileum. The extract showed a noncompetitive reversible antagonism to carbachol, both in proximal colon and ileum, with a higher potency in proximal colon. The antimicrobial effects of AC extract were observed toward Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp., while Bifido and Lactobacillus were not affected by treatment. These effects, however, occurred at concentrations fivefold higher than those inhibiting ileum and colon contractility. In conclusion, our results suggest that AC affects intestinal contractility without affecting intestinal bacterial flora and this may result in clinical benefits in patients suffering from nonbacterial diarrhea.

Curcuma longa L. as a therapeutic agent in intestinal motility disorders. 2: Safety profile in mouse.

BACKGROUND: Curcuma extract exerts a myorelaxant effect on the mouse intestine. In view of a possible use of curcuma extract in motor functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, a safety profile study has been carried out in the mouse. METHODS: Thirty mice were used to study the in vitro effect of curcuma on gallbladder, bladder, aorta and trachea smooth muscular layers and hearth inotropic and chronotropic activity. The myorelaxant effect on the intestine was also thoroughly investigated. Moreover, curcuma extract (200 mg/Kg/day) was orally administered to twenty mice over 28 days and serum liver and lipids parameters were evaluated. Serum, bile and liver bile acids qualitative and quantitative composition was were also studied. RESULTS: In the intestine, curcuma extract appeared as a not competitive inhibitor through cholinergic, histaminergic and serotoninergic receptors and showed spasmolytic effect on K(+) induced contraction at the level of L type calcium channels. No side effect was observed on bladder, aorta, trachea and heart when we used a dose that is effective on the intestine. An increase in gallbladder tone and contraction was observed. Serum liver and lipids parameters were normal, while a slight increase in serum and liver bile acids concentration and a decrease in bile were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although these data are consistent with the safety of curcuma extract as far as its effect on the smooth muscular layers of different organs and on the heart, the mild cholestatic effect observed in absence of alteration of liver function tests must be further evaluated and the effective dose with minimal side effects considered.