Activity of Brucea javanica oil emulsion against gastric ulcers in rodents

Effect of white jade snail secretion on antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbial diversity in mouse model of acute gastric ulcer

BACKGROUND

In the present work, acute gastric ulcer models were constructed by administering hydrochloric acid/ethanol. The mice ingested white jade snail secretion (WJSS) through gastric infusion. Ulcer areas in gastric tissue were recorded, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also measured. Notably, high-throughput 16S rDNA analysis of intestinal flora and determination of amino acid composition in feces were performed to understand the effect of WJSS on model mice.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the ulcer area in the WJSS low-, medium- and high-concentration groups declined by 28.02%, 39.57% and 77.85%, respectively. MDA content decreased by 24.71%, 49.58% and 64.25%, and SOD relative enzyme activity fell by 28.19%, 43.37% and 9.60%, respectively. The amounts of amino acids in the low-, medium- and high-concentration groups were slightly lower, and probiotic bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillales increased in different-concentration WJSS groups. Adding WJSS contributes to the establishment of beneficial intestinal flora and the absorption of amino acids.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that WJSS has a beneficial effect on inhibiting hydrochloric acid-ethanolic gastric ulcers, suggesting that WJSS has excellent potential as a novel anti-ulcer agent. Combined with ulcer area, MDA content, SOD content, gut probiotics and other indicators, a high concentration of WJSS had the best protective effect on acute gastric ulcer. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A review of Brucea javanica: metabolites, pharmacology and clinical application

This review examines advances in the metabolites, pharmacological research, and therapeutic applications of the medicinal fruit of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. Brucea javanica (BJ) is derived from the fruit of the Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. There are nearly 200 metabolites present in BJ, and due to the diversity of its metabolites, BJ has a wide range of pharmacological effects. The traditional pharmacological effects of BJ include anti-dysentery, anti-malaria, etc. The research investigating the contemporary pharmacological impacts of BJ mainly focuses on its anti-tumor properties. In the article, the strong monomeric metabolites among these pharmacological effects were preliminarily screened. Regarding the pharmacological mechanism of action, current research has initially explored BJ's pharmacological agent and molecular signaling pathways. However, a comprehensive system has yet to be established. BJ preparations have been utilized in clinical settings and have demonstrated effectiveness. Nevertheless, clinical research is primarily limited to observational studies, and there is a need for higher-quality research evidence to support its clinical application. There are still many difficulties and obstacles in studying BJ. However, it is indisputable that BJ is a botanical drugs with significant potential for application, and it is expected to have broader global usage.

The Oil Formulation Derived from Moringa Oleifera Seeds Ameliorates Behavioral Abnormalities in Water-immersion Restraint Stress Mouse Model

Purpose

Repeated stress events are well known to be associated with the onset of behavioral abnormalities including depression, anxiety and memory impairment. In spite of the traditional uses of Moringa oleifera (MO), no experimental evidence for its use against chronic stress exists. Here, we investigated whether seed oil from MO (MOO) could improve behavior abnormalities of chronic stress mice induced by water-immersion restraint stress (WIRS) and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

BALB/C male mice at 12 weeks of age were exposed to chronic WIRS for two weeks and divided in to four groups: normal group, WIRS group, WIRS+MOO1 group (treated with MOO at the dose of 1 mL/kg BW), and WIRS+MOO2 group (treated with MOO 2 mL/kg BW). The MOO treatment was given orally for 23 days. On day 24, we checked the behavior parameters, the plasma level of cortisol, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in hippocampus, mRNA expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxidative stress parameters in brain tissues. In addition, we also checked the histopathological features of the gastric mucosa wall.

Results

Administration of MOO ameliorated anxiety-like, depression-like and memory impairment phenotypes in the WIRS mouse model although the plasma cortisol concentrations were comparable among the groups. Of note, MOO both in two doses could suppress the AChE activity in hippocampus tissue and ameliorated the MDA level in prefrontal cortex tissue in mice exposed to WIRS. Although only WIRS+MOO2 group could increase the mRNA expression of BDNF, the histopathological gastric mucosa wall features were improved in all MOO groups.

Conclusion

Taken together, these finding suggested that MOO may have a neuroprotective effect in the mouse model of WIRS as evidenced by improving the abnormal behaviors through enhancing mRNA expression level of BDNF, inhibited AChE activity, and prevented the increase of MDA level in the brain.

Antiulcerogenic and healing activity of hecogenin acetate in rodents

Peptic ulcers are lesions in the gastric and duodenal mucosa generated by an imbalance between protective factors (gastroduodenal mucus secretion, bicarbonate production, adequate blood flow) and harmful factors (excess pepsin or hydrochloric acid). Some drugs used in peptic ulcer therapy are associated with adverse effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcerogenic and healing activity of hecogenin acetate (HA) in acute and chronic models of gastric lesions in rodents. The antiulcerogenic activity of HA was evaluated in models of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol and in acidified ethanol with HA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). For the model of gastric lesions induced by ischemia and reperfusion, rats were pre-treated with HA (5, 10, 20 mg/kg). After that, they were submitted to 30 min of ischemia, followed by 1 h of reperfusion. To evaluate the healing activity was induced gastric ulcer using acetic acid (80%) in rats. After 24 h, they were treated for 7 consecutive days with HA (10 and 20 mg/kg). They were evaluated the possible signs of toxicity, measurement of the lesions, collagen deposition, and histological analysis. HA significantly reduced the area of the lesion in models of gastric lesions induced by absolute and acidified ethanol, ischemia-induced gastric lesions and reperfusion, and regarding healing. In the collagen deposition, the presence and increase of collagen demonstrate the healing effect. The AH has antiulcerogenic and healing potential demonstrated by the decrease in gastric injury and presence of collagen fibers, respectively.

Exploiting drug delivery systems for oral route in the peptic ulcer disease treatment

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common condition that is induced by acid and pepsin causing lesions in the mucosa of the duodenum and stomach. The pathogenesis of PUD is a many-sided scenario, which involves an imbalance between protective factors, such as prostaglandins, blood flow, and cell renewal, and aggressive ones, like alcohol abuse, smoking, Helicobacter pylori colonisation, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The standard oral treatment is well established; however, several problems can decrease the success of this therapy, such as drug degradation in the gastric environment, low oral bioavailability, and lack of vectorisation to the target site. In this way, the use of strategies to improve the effectiveness of these conventional drugs becomes interesting. Currently, the use of drug delivery systems is being explored as an option to improve the drug therapy limitations, such as antimicrobial resistance, low bioavailability, molecule degradation in an acid environment, and low concentration of the drug at the site of action. This article provides a review of oral drug delivery systems looking for improving the treatment of PUD.

Medicinal Activities and Nanomedicine Delivery Strategies for Brucea javanica Oil and Its Molecular Components

Brucea javanica oil (BJO) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various types of cancer and inflammatory diseases. There is significant interest in understanding the medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, especially quassinoids, and in exploring how they can be incorporated into nanomedicine delivery strategies for improved application prospects. Herein, we cover the latest progress in developing different classes of drug delivery vehicles, including nanoemulsions, liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, and spongosomes, to encapsulate BJO and purified quassinoids. An introduction to the composition and medicinal activities of BJO and its molecular components, including quassinoids and fatty acids, is first provided. Application examples involving each type of drug delivery vehicle are then critically presented. Future opportunities for nanomedicine delivery strategies in the field are also discussed and considered within the context of translational medicine needs and drug development processes.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Fuzi Lizhong Decoction for the Treatment of Stomach Ulcers

This study aims to understand the treatment of stomach ulcers with FLD and to identify its potential target genes as well as related pathways by transcriptomic analysis. Rat stomach mRNA from a blank group (BG), a model group (MG), an untreated-model group (u-MG), and a treated group (TG) was sequenced. A partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to differentiate the MG from the BG, and the Deseq2 R Package was used to identify differentially expressed genes between these groups. Furthermore, t-tests based on transcripts per million (TPM) were used to select different genes between MG and BG and significantly retrieved genes in TG, except for self-retrieved genes in u-MG. Finally, pathways regulated by retrieved genes were analyzed with KEGG database. Results showed that 327 of the 32,623 total detected genes were different (p < 0.05) between the MG and BG. Among these genes, eighteen genes were significantly retrieved after rats were treated with FLD in TG, and they were considered as target genes on which FLD acted. In conclusion, FLD was deduced to cure stomach ulcers by affecting glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, circadian entrainment, circadian rhythm, and dopaminergic synapse.