Ethanolic extract from Lepidium virginicum L. ameliorates DNBS-induced colitis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lepidium virginicum L. (Brassicaceae) is a plant widely used in traditional Mexican medicine as an expectorant, diuretic, and as a remedy to treat diarrhea and dysentery, infection-derived gastroenteritis. However, there is no scientific study that validates its clinical use as an anti-inflammatory in the intestine. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanolic extract of Lepidium virginicum L. (ELv) in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) animal model of IBD was used. Colitis was induced by intrarectal instillation of 200 mg/kg of DNBS dissolved vehicle, 50% ethanol. Control rats only received the vehicle. Six hours posterior to DNBS administration, ELv (3, 30, or 100 mg/kg) was administered daily by gavage or intraperitoneal injection. The onset and course of the inflammatory response were monitored by assessing weight loss, stool consistency, and fecal blood. Colonic damage was evaluated by colon weight/length ratio, histopathology, colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: Rats treated with DNBS displayed significant weight loss, diarrhea, fecal blood, colon shortening, a significant increase in immune cell infiltration and MPO activity, as well as increased proinflammatory cytokine expression. Intraperitoneal administration of ELv significantly reduced colon inflammation, whereas oral treatment proved to be ineffective. In fact, intraperitoneal ELv significantly attenuated the clinical manifestations of colitis, immune cell infiltration, MPO activity, and pro-inflammatory (CXCL-1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß) gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Traditional medicine has employed ELv as a remedy for common infection-derived gastrointestinal symptoms; however, we hereby present the first published study validating its anti-inflammatory properties in the mitigation of DNBS-induced colitis.

Glycomacropeptide Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Enteropathy in Rats by Modifying Intestinal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy is considered a serious and increasing clinical problem without available treatment. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64-amino acid peptide derived from milk κ-casein with numerous biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GMP on NSAID enteropathy in rats. Enteropathy was induced by seven days oral indomethacin administration. Rats were orally GMP treated from seven days previous and during the establishment of the enteropathy model. Changes in metabolism, hematological and biochemical blood alterations, intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage were analyzed. Integrity barrier markers, macroscopic intestinal damage and survival rate were also evaluated. GMP treatment prevented anorexia and weight loss in animals. Furthermore, prophylaxis with GMP ameliorated the decline in hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and total protein levels. The treatment had no therapeutic efficacy on the decrease of occludin and mucin (MUC)-2 expression in intestinal tissue. However, GMP markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration, and CXCL1, interleukin-1ß and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Nitric oxide production and lipid hydroperoxide level in the small intestine were also diminished. These beneficial effects were mirrored by preventing ulcer development and increasing animal survival. These results suggest that GMP may protect against NSAID enteropathy through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.