Anti-inflammatory intestinal activity of Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) in TNBS colitis model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Brazilian traditional medicine, Arctium lappa (Asteraceae), has been reported to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, we investigated the effects of the lactone sesquiterpene onopordopicrin enriched fraction (ONP fraction) from Arctium lappa in an experimental colitis model induced by 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and performed experiments to elucidate the underlying action mechanisms involved in that effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ONP fraction (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered 48, 24 and 1 h prior to the induction of colitis and 24 h after. The inflammatory response was assessed by gross appearance, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and a histological study of the lesions. We determined cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 protein expressions by western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. RESULTS: TNBS group was characterized by increased colonic wall thickness, edema, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration, increased MPO activity and TNF-α levels. On the contrary, ONP fraction (25 and 50 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced the macroscopic inflammation scores (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) and morphological alterations associated with an increase in the mucus secretion. Similarly, the degree of neutrophil infiltration and the cytokine levels were significantly ameliorated. Moreover, COX-2 expression was up regulated in TNBS-treated rats. In contrast, ONP fraction (50 mg/kg) administration reduced COX-2 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the ONP fraction obtained from Arctium lappa exert marked protective effects in acute experimental colitis, confirming and justifying, at least in part, the popular use of this plant to treat gastrointestinal diseases.

Rosiglitazone, a PPARgamma ligand, modulates signal transduction pathways during the development of acute TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

Recent studies have shown that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a highly nuclear receptor expressed in the colon, may participate in the control of inflammation, especially in regulating the production of immunomodulatory and inflammatory mediators, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. In order to delve into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms and signalling pathways of PPARgamma agonists, we have studied the effects of rosiglitazone, a PPARgamma agonist on the extent and severity of acute ulcerative colitis caused by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitribenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats. The inflammatory response was assessed by gross appearance, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and a histological study of the lesions. We determined prostaglandin E2 production as well as the cyclooxygenases (COX)-1 and -2 expressions by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The nuclear factor kappa (NF-kappaB) p65 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression levels were also measured by Western blotting. Finally, since PPARgamma agonists modulate apoptosis, we tried to clarify its effects under early acute inflammatory conditions. Inflammation following TNBS induction was characterized by increased colonic wall thickness, edema, diffuse inflammatory cells infiltration, necrosis reaching an ulcer index (UI) of 9.66+/-0.66 cm(2) and increased MPO activity and TNF-alpha colonic levels. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly reduced the morphological alteration associated with TNBS administration and the UI with the highest dose. In addition, the degree of neutrophil infiltration and the cytokine levels were significantly ameliorated. Rosiglitazone significantly reduced the rise in the prostaglandin (PG) E(2) generation compared with TNBS group. The COX-1 levels remained stable throughout the treatment in all groups. The COX-2 expression was elevated in TNBS group; however rosiglitazone administration reduced the COX-2 overexpression. A high expression of NF-kappaB p65 and p38 MAPK proteins appeared in colon mucosa from control TNBS-treated rats; nevertheless, PPARgamma agonist treatment drastically decreased them. There were no significant changes in apoptosis after rosiglitazone treatment when compared to TNBS group. In conclusion, rosiglitazone seems to modulate the acute colitis through NF-kappaB p65 and p38 MAPK signalling pathways.

The effects of resveratrol, a phytoalexin derived from red wines, on chronic inflammation induced in an experimentally induced colitis model.

Neutrophil infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines, eicosanoid generation and oxidative stress have been implicated in colitis. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in grapes and wine, with multiple pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities. In a previous report, we documented that resveratrol decreases the degree of inflammation associated with acute experimental colonic inflammation, but its effects on chronic experimental colitis remain undetermined. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on the chronic colonic injury caused by intracolonic instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. The inflammatory response was assessed by histology and myeloperoxidase activity. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production, histological and histochemical analysis of the lesions were also carried out. We determined the production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and D2 in colon mucosa, as well as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 and nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 protein expression. Finally, since resveratrol has been found to modulate apoptosis, we intended to elucidate its effects on colonic mucosa under chronic inflammatory conditions. Resveratrol (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) significantly attenuated the damage score and corrected the disturbances in morphology associated to injury. In addition, the degree of neutrophil infiltration and the levels of TNF-alpha were significantly ameliorated. Resveratrol did not modify PGD2 levels but returned the decreased PGE2 values to basal levels and also reduced COX-2 and the NF-kappaB p65 protein expression. Furthermore, treatment of rats with resveratrol caused a significant increase of TNBS-induced apoptosis in colonic cells. In conclusion, resveratrol reduces the damage in chronic experimentally induced colitis, alleviates the oxidative events, returns PGE2 production to basal levels and stimulates apoptosis in colonic cells.

Rosiglitazone, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, protects against gastric ischemia-reperfusion damage in rats: role of oxygen free radicals generation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a nuclear hormone receptor super family that has recently been implicated in atherosclerosis, inflammation, cancer, infertility, and demyelination. Oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines, and the exhibition of luminal acid play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Rosiglitazone, a specific PPAR-gamma ligand, has been shown to have antiinflammatory activity, but its effects on experimental ischemia-reperfusion gastric injury remain unknown. We have investigated the effects of the rosiglitazone on gastric injury caused by ischemia following reperfusion in rats. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and changes in enzymatic activities of myeloperoxidase, as a marker of neutrophils infiltration, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined. Histological analysis of the lesions was also carried out. Pretreatment with 1 or 4 mg/kg of rosiglitazone ameliorated the gastric damage induced by clamping the celiac artery for 30 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion. It significantly (P<0.05) reduced the index of neutrophil infiltration and the levels of the cytokine. Rosiglitazone did not revert the reduced glutathione peroxidase activity but enhanced significantly (P<0.01) the decreased xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in gastric mucosa of ischemic rats. In conclusion, rosiglitazone reduces the damage in ischemia-reperfusion gastric injury and alleviates the inflammatory response and the oxidative events.

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes, suppresses oxidative damage and stimulates apoptosis during early colonic inflammation in rats.

Oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, proinflammatory cytokines and eicosanoid generation are clearly involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal bowel disease. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in grapes and wine, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities, however, its effects on experimental colitis remain unknown. We have investigated the effects of resveratrol on the colon injury caused by intracolonic instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. We determined the production of prostaglandin (PG)E(2) and PGD(2) in colon mucosa and the expression of cyclo-oxygenases (COX)-1 and -2 immunohistochemically. The inflammatory response was assessed by histology and myeloperoxidase activity, as an index of neutrophil infiltration. Interleukin-1 beta production, histological and histochemical analysis of the lesions were also carried out. Finally, since resveratrol has been found to modulate apoptosis we intended to elucidate its effects on colonic mucosa under early acute inflammatory conditions. Resveratrol (5-10mg/kg/day) significantly reduced the degree of colonic injury, the index of neutrophil infiltration and the levels of the cytokine. Resveratrol did not revert the increased PGE(2) levels but produced a significant fall in the PGD(2) concentration. Compared with inflamed colon, no changes in staining for COX-1 were observed in colon of resveratrol and TNBS-treated rats. In contrast, COX-2 expression was decreased. Furthermore, resveratrol enhanced apoptosis compared with already high level induced by TNBS. In conclusion, resveratrol reduces the damage in experimentally induced colitis, alleviates the oxidative events and stimulates apoptosis.

The cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, attenuates mucosal damage due to colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid in rats.

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 overexpression has been described in experimental colitis. However, there are controversial findings suggesting that its inhibition by selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors not only may have a beneficial effect on experimental colitis, but also exacerbate the inflammation-associated colonic injury. Thus, the role of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors in the possible modulation of colon inflammation is controversial and remains uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, on the extent and severity of ulcerative colitis caused by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. The lesions and the inflammatory response were assessed by histology and measurement of myeloperoxidase activity. Interleukin-1 beta, prostaglandin E(2) and D(2) levels in colon mucosa and the immunohistochemical expression of the cyclo-oxygenases-1 and -2 were also studied. Finally, we investigated the effects of rofecoxib on apoptosis of colonocytes by the appearance of DNA fragmentation. Inflammation following TNBS was characterized by increased colonic wall thickness, oedema, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosa, and necrosis. Increased myeloperoxidase activity, as an index of neutrophil infiltration in the mucosa, and interleukin-1 beta levels were also measured in the colon. Administration of rofecoxib significantly (P<0.05) reduced the colonic damage, the degree of neutrophil infiltration, and interleukin-1 beta levels. In addition, apoptosis was significantly increased in TNBS-treated rats, but not in rofecoxib plus TNBS-treated rats. We concluded that rofecoxib seems to have beneficial effects in TNBS-induced colitis by diminishing the initial stage of inflammation, probably by a mechanism related to inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) by the cyclo-oxygenase-2 pathway. The data suggest that cyclo-oxygenase-2-selective inhibitors may have a therapeutic role in ulcerative colitis.