Potent therapeutic effects of ruscogenin on gastric ulcer established by acetic acid

Emerging trends of phytochemicals as ferroptosis modulators in cancer therapy

Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by dependence on iron and lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in a wide range of clinical conditions including neurological diseases, cardiovascular disorders, acute kidney failure, and various types of cancer. Therefore, it is critical to suppress cancer progression and proliferation. Ferroptosis can be triggered in cancer cells and some normal cells by synthetic substances, such as erastin, Ras-selective lethal small molecule-3, or clinical pharmaceuticals. Natural bioactive compounds are traditional drug discovery tools, and some have been therapeutically used as dietary additives or pharmaceutical agents against various malignancies. The fact that natural products have multiple targets and minimal side effects has led to notable advances in anticancer research. Research has indicated that ferroptosis can also be induced by natural compounds during cancer treatment. In this review, we focused on the most recent developments in emerging molecular processes and the significance of ferroptosis in cancer. To provide new perspectives on the future development of ferroptosis-related anticancer medications, we also provide a summary of the implications of natural phytochemicals in triggering ferroptosis through ROS production and ferritinophagy induction in a variety of malignancies.

Neuropeptide W facilitates chronic gastric ulcer healing by the regulation of cyclooxygenase and NF-κB signaling pathways

AIMS

Putative beneficial effects of neuropeptide W (NPW) in the early phase of gastric ulcer healing process and the involvement of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes were investigated in an acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer model.

MAIN METHODS

In anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats, acetic acid was applied surgically on the serosa and then a COX-inhibitor (COX-2-selective NS-398, COX-1-selective ketorolac, or non-selective indomethacin; 2 mg/kg/day, 3 mg/kg/day or 5 mg/kg/day; respectively) or saline was injected intraperitoneally. One h after ulcer induction, omeprazole (20 mg/kg/day), NPW (0.1 μg/kg/day) or saline was intraperitoneally administered. Injections of NPW, COX-inhibitors, omeprazole or saline were continued for the following 2 days until rats were decapitated at the end of the third day.

KEY FINDINGS

NPW treatment depressed gastric prostaglandin (PG) I2 level, but not PGE2 level. Similar to omeprazole, NPW treatment significantly reduced gastric and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta levels and depressed the upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and COX-2 expressions due to ulcer. In parallel with the histopathological findings, treatment with NPW suppressed ulcer-induced increases in myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level and replenished glutathione level. However, the inhibitory effect of NPW on myeloperoxidase activity and NPW-induced increase in glutathione were not observed in the presence of COX-1 inhibitor ketorolac or the non-selective COX-inhibitor indomethacin.

SIGNIFICANCE

In conclusion, NPW facilitated the healing of gastric injury in rats via the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration as well as the downregulation of COX-2 protein and NF-κB gene expressions.

Ruscogenin interacts with DPPC and DPPG model membranes and increases the membrane fluidity: FTIR and DSC studies

Ruscogenin, a kind of steroid saponin, has been shown to have significant anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic characteristics. Furthermore, it has the potential to be employed as a medicinal medication to treat a variety of acute and chronic disorders. The interaction of a drug molecule with cell membranes can help to elucidate its system-wide protective and therapeutic effects, and it's also important for its pharmacological activity. The molecular mechanism by which ruscogenin affects membrane architecture is still a mystery. Ruscogenin's interaction with zwitterionic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and anionic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) was studied utilizing two non-invasive approaches, including: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Ruscogenin caused considerable alterations in the phase transition profile, order, dynamics and hydration state of head groups and glycerol backbone of DPPC and DPPG MLVs at all concentrations. The DSC results indicated that the presence of ruscogenin decreased the main phase transition temperature (T_m) and enthalpy (ΔH) values of both membranes and increased half height width of the main transition (ΔT_1/2). The FTIR results demonstrated that all concentrations (1, 3, 6, 9, 15, 24 and 30 mol percent) of ruscogenin disordered the DPPC MLVs both in the gel and liquid crystalline phases while it increased the order of DPPG MLVs in the liquid crystalline phase. Moreover, ruscogenin caused an increase in the dynamics of DPPC and DPPG MLVs in both phases. Additionally, it enhanced the hydration of the head groups of lipids and the surrounding water molecules implying ruscogenin to interact strongly with both zwitterionic and charged model membranes.

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.

Cell metabolomics study on the anticancer effects of Ophiopogon japonicus against lung cancer cells using UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis

Ophiopogon japonicus (OJ) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Recently, the anticancer effects of OJ have been reported in multiple types of cancer, particularly in lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In present study, the effects of OJ against NCI-H1299 human lung cancer cells were investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were explored using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS)-based cell metabolomics. As a result, OJ inhibited the proliferation, induced the apoptosis and suppressed the migration of NCI-H1299 cells. A total of 22 differential metabolites responsible for the effects of OJ were screened and annotated based on the LC-MS-based cell metabolomics approach. The altered metabolites were involved in three metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism and glutathione metabolism. These results showed that cell metabolomics-based strategies are promising tools to discover the action mechanisms of OJ against lung cancer cells.

Plants and their Bioactive Compounds as a Possible Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury is an outcome of the physical or mechanical impact of external forces on the brain. Thus, the silent epidemic has complex pathophysiology affecting the brain along with extracranial or systemic complications in more than one organ system, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and endocrine system. which is referred to as Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. It is driven by three interconnected mechanisms such as systemic hyperinflammation, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, and immunosuppression-induced sepsis. These multifaceted pathologies accelerate the risk of mortality in clinical settings by interfering with the functions of distant organs through hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, acute lung injury, neurogenic pulmonary edema, reduced gastrointestinal motility, Cushing ulcers, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy, endocrine dysfunction, and many other impairments. The pharmaceutical treatment approach for this is highly specific in its mode of action and linked to a variety of side effects, including hallucinations, seizures, anaphylaxis, teeth, bone staining, etc. Therefore, alternative natural medicine treatments are widely accepted due to their broad complementary or synergistic effects on the physiological system with minor side effects.

CONCLUSION

This review is a compilation of the possible mechanisms behind the occurrence of multiorgan dysfunction and reported medicinal plants with organoprotective activity that have not been yet explored against traumatic brain injury and thereby, highlighting the marked possibilities of their effectiveness in the management of multiorgan dysfunction. As a result, we attempted to respond to the hypothesis against the usage of medicinal plants to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Ruscogenin Prevents Folic Acid-Induced Acute Kidney Damage by Inhibiting Rev-erbα/β-Mediated Ferroptosis

To investigate the pharmacodynamic effects of ruscogenin on acute kidney injury and the Rev-erbα/β regulation of ferroptosis intervention mechanism. The C57BL-6 mice were induced acute kidney injury with folic acid. Plasma, urine, and kidney samples were collected after intraperitoneal injection of ruscogenin (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg). We measured mouse kidney function indicators, including creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase (NAG), albumin, albumin and creatinine rate (ACR), renal index, and renal injury molecule-1 expression. Meanwhile, we detected the levels of ferroptosis indicators malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylated proteins, iron ions, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4), and glutathione (GSH). The expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (Slc7a11), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and Rev-erbα/β were detected by the Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Ruscogenin (1 mg/kg) significantly reduced the index of folic acid-induced acute kidney injury and alleviated acute kidney injury. In kidney tissues, ruscogenin inhibited folic acid-induced Rev-erbα/β expression, restored HO-1 and SLC7A11 expression to normal levels, and alleviated ferroptosis. Ruscogenin ameliorates acute kidney injury via suppressing ferroptosis in kidney tissues through modulation of the Rev-erbα/β-SLC7A11/HO-1 pathway.

Ruscogenins Improve CD-Like Enteritis by Inhibiting Apoptosis of Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Activating Nrf2/NQO1 Pathway

Interaction of intestinal barrier dysfunction and intestinal inflammation promotes the progression of Crohn's disease (CD). A more recent study has suggested that ruscogenins (RUS) can exert anti-inflammatory effects through activation of the Nrf2/NQO1 pathway. The current study is aimed at determining the functionalization of RUS on CD-like colitis. Wild-type (WT) mice induced with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) exhibit a significant inflammation in their colon and are hence widely used for CD models. In the current study, the mice were treated with the Nrf-2 antagonist (ML385) or ruscogenin (RUS) whereas normal WT mice were kept as the negative control. Comparative analysis was then performed on the inflammation and barrier function of the colons. In vitro analysis of mouse colonic organoid systems revealed the influence of RUS on LPS-induced apoptosis, cytokine, and chemokine expressions in the intestinal epithelium. It was found that RUS ameliorates murine colitis through activation of the Nrf2/NQO1 pathway which was presented as a decrease in inflammation score and downregulated levels of cytokine and chemokine synthesis, as well as increased intestinal permeability. Further, it was noted that RUS alleviated LPS-induced apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium cells through upregulation of the Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway in the mouse colonic organoids. In addition, ruscogenin (RUS) attenuated the levels of Bax and C-caspase-3 through activation of the Nrf2/HO1 signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, it was evident that RUS can be applied as a potential alternative therapeutic agent in CD based on its protective effects on the barrier function and anti-inflammatory activity.

A Retrospective Trial Exploring Erzhu Yiren Decoction in Gastric Ulcer with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness-Heat

Objective

To assess the efficacy of Erzhu Yiren Decoction in treating gastric ulcer of spleen deficiency and dampness-heat and its effect on serum NO, EGF, and PGE2 levels.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted among 64 patients with gastric ulcers of spleen deficiency and dampness heat admitted to our hospital from September 2019 to May 2020, and they were divided at a ratio of 1 : 1 into an observation group (rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules plus Erzhu Yiren Decoction) and a control group (rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules) based on different treatment methods. The clinical symptom scores, the effective rate of ulcer healing under gastroscopy, the quality of ulcer healing (QOUH), serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelial growth factor (EGF), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were compared between the two groups.

Results

The clinical symptom scores of the observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001). The observation group obtained a remarkably higher efficacy of ulcer healing under gastroscopy than the control group (P = 0.039). The observation group outperformed the control group in terms of the number of patients with excellent and good QOUH (P = 0.003, 0.014), but no statistical difference in the number of patients with poor QOUH between the two groups was found (P > 0.05). Serum NO, EGF, and PGE2 levels of the observation group after treatment were significantly better than those of the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Erzhu Yiren Decoction can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with gastric ulcers of spleen deficiency and dampness heat; improve the serum NO, EGF, and PGE2 levels; optimize the mucosal maturity; and enhance the overall efficacy, which merits clinical promotion.

Anti-inflammatory and modulatory effects of steroidal saponins and sapogenins on cytokines: A review of pre-clinical research

BACKGROUND

Saponins are glycosides which, after acid hydrolysis, liberate sugar(s) and an aglycone (sapogenin) which can be triterpenoid or steroidal in nature. Steroidal saponins and sapogenins have attracted significant attention as important natural anti-inflammatory compounds capable of acting on the activity of several inflammatory cytokines in various inflammatory models.

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to collect preclinical in vivo studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of steroidal saponins through the modulation of inflammatory cytokines.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This review was carried out through a specialized search in three databases, that were accessed between September and October, 2021, and the publication period of the articles was not limited. Information about the name of the steroidal saponins, the animals used, the dose and route of administration, the model of pain or inflammation used, the tissue and experimental method used in the measurement of the cytokines, and the results observed on the levels of cytokines was retrieved.

RESULTS

Forty-five (45) articles met the inclusion criteria, involving the saponins cantalasaponin-1, α-chaconine, dioscin, DT-13, lycoperoside H, protodioscin, α-solanine, timosaponin AIII and BII, trillin, and the sapogenins diosgenin, hecogenin, and ruscogenin. The surveys were carried out in seven different countries and only articles between 2007 and 2021 were found. The studies included in the review showed that the saponins and sapogenins were anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant and they modulate inflammatory cytokines mainly through the Nf-κB, TLR4 and MAPKs pathways.

CONCLUSION

Steroidal saponins and sapogenins are promising compounds in handling of pain and inflammation for the development of natural product-derived drugs. However, it is necessary to increase the methodological quality of preclinical studies, mainly blinding and sample size calculation.

Protective effect of the combination of essential oil from patchouli and tangerine peel against gastric ulcer in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Essential oil (EO) is the main extract of patchouli and tangerine peel with antiinflammatory, antiulcer, and other functions. However, the efficacy and mechanism of the combination of EO from patchouli and tangerine peel against gastric ulcer (GU) are unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to reveal the protective effect of the combination of EO from patchouli and tangerine peel against GU in rats, as well as explore the optimal ratio and possible mechanism of EO in GU treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The GU model is executed via water immersion and restraint stress. The repair effect of EO in different proportions on gastric mucosa injury and the effects on serum gastrin (GAS), pepsinogen C (PGC), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and 5-hydroxytryptamine in GU rats were observed. The optimal ratio obtained was used in the second part to set different dose groups for further experiment. The effects of the different EO doses on gastric mucosal ulcer formation and gastric acid secretion were evaluated. The morphology of chief and parietal cells were observed via transmission electron microscopy. The contents of GAS, PGC, substance P (SP), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), cholecystokinin (CCK), PGE2, and motilin (MTL) in serum in different groups were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) protein in gastric tissues were detected via immunohistochemistry, and expressions of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P53, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and Caspase-3 protein in gastric tissues were detected via western blotting.

RESULTS

The EO from patchouli and tangerine peel at 1:2 ratio of compatibility significantly improved gastric mucosal injury, decreased serum GAS and PGC contents, and increased the PGE2 level in serum (p < 0.05). The mixture of EO from patchouli and tangerine peel (Mix-EO) can reduce the formation of gastric mucosal ulcers, reduce gastric mucosal injury, improve the expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum of the chief cells, repair mitochondrial damage, and inhibit the secretion of gastric acid by parietal cells. Mix-EO at 300 mg/kg can reduce the expression of serum GAS, PGC, SP, CCK, and cAMP/cGMP (p < 0.05 or 0.01); increase the expression of EGF and TFF2 protein in gastric tissues (p < 0.01); and inhibit the expression of JNK, p53, Bax, and Caspase-3 proteins (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The combination of EO from patchouli and tangerine peel can repair the gastric mucosal damage in GU rats and prevent the occurrence of ulcers by inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid, enhancing the defensive ability of gastric mucosa, and suppressing the apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. Moreover, the optimal compatible ratio of patchouli and tangerine peel is 1:2.

Protective effect and mechanisms of action of Mongolian medicine Sulongga-4 on pyloric ligation-induced gastroduodenal ulcer in rats

BACKGROUND

Sulongga-4 (SL-4) is a herbal formula used in traditional Mongolian medical clinics for the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastroenteritis, even though its pharmacological mechanism has not been well characterized.

AIM

To evaluate the protective effect and identify the mechanisms of action of SL-4 on gastroduodenal ulcer induced by pyloric ligation (PL) in rats.

METHODS

PL was performed to induce gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats, which were then treated with oral SL-4 (1.3, 2.6, or 3.9 g/kg per day) for 15 d. PL-induced gastroduodenal ulceration. Therapeutic effects were characterized by pathological and histological evaluations and inflammatory indicators were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Microarray analyses were conducted to identify gene expression profiles of gastroduodenal tissue in PL rats with or without SL-4 treatment. The candidate target genes were selected and verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

SL-4 decreased histopathological features in the PL-induced ulcerated rats. SL-4 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, endotoxin, platelet-activating factor, and increased prostaglandin E2 and epidermal growth factor in ulcer tissue. Microarray analysis was used to identify a panel of candidate target genes for SL-4 acting on PL-induced ulceration. Genes included some complement and coagulation cascade and retinol metabolism pathways that are closely associated with inflammatory responses and gastric mucosal protective mechanisms. qRT-PCR showed that altered expression of the selected genes, such as CYP2b2, UGT2b1, A2m, and MASP1 was consistent with the microarray results.

CONCLUSION

SL-4 exerts protective effects against PL-induced gastroduodenal ulcers via reducing inflammatory cytokines and elevating expression of gastric acid inhibitory factors. Downregulation of CYP2b2 and UGT2b1 genes in retinol metabolism and upregulation of A2m and MASP1 genes in the complement and coagulation cascades pathways are possibly involved in SL-4-mediated protection against gastroduodenal ulcer.

Estragole prevents gastric ulcers via cytoprotective, antioxidant and immunoregulatory mechanisms in animal models

BACKGROUND

Estragole is an aromatic organic compound belonging to the class of phenylpropanoids derived from cinnamic aldehydes and present in essential oils of plant species, such asRavensara anisata (madeira), Ocimum basilicum (manjericão/alfavaca) and Croton zehntneri (canelinha). Pharmacological studies report its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasorelaxant activity.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the acute non-clinical toxicity, gastroprotective activity and the related mechanisms of action.

METHODS

Acute toxicity was assessed according to OECD guide 423 in mice. Ethanol, stress, piroxicam and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer models were used to investigate antiulcer properties. The related mechanisms of action were using the ethanol-gastric lesions protocol.

RESULTS

In the acute oral toxicity assay, doses of 300 or 2000 mg/kg of estragole administered orally in Swiss mice did not induce any behavioral changes. However, the dose of 2000 mg/kg showed a decrease in water and feed intake. Lethal dose 50 % (LD50) was set to be equal to or greater than 2500 mg/kg, according to OECD. In all evaluated protocols, estragole (31.25, 62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) significantly reduced the area of ​​ulcerative lesion when compared to control groups. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the gastroprotective activity, the antisecretory or neutralizing of gastric secretion, cytoprotectant, antioxidant and immunoregulatory effects were evaluated. Results showed that treatment with estragole (250 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.05) the volume of the gastric juice. Besides, sulfhydryl groups, nitric oxide, mucus and prostaglandins seems to be involved in the gastroprotective property. Treatment also increased (p < 0.001) levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and positive cells marked for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). It also reduced (p < 0.001) malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p < 0.05) levels.

CONCLUSION

Thus, it is possible to infer that estragole presents gastroprotective activity related to antisecretory, cytoprotective, antioxidant and immunomodulatory mechanisms.

Examination of protective and therapeutic effects of ruscogenin on cerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis in rats

Purpose

To determine the potential protective and therapeutic effects and action mechanism of ruscogenin on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) model in rats.

Methods

Overall, 32 rats were attenuated to the sham (2-mL/kg/day isotonic solution for 4 weeks), control (20-µg/kg cerulein-induced AP for 12 hours), prophylaxis groups (cerulein-induced AP following 3-mL/kg/day ruscogenin for 4 weeks) and treatment (3-mL/kg/day ruscogenin following cerulein-induced AP for 12 hours). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1/neuronal NOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). After sacrification, pancreas tissues were collected and prepared for light microscopic (hematoxylin and eosin), immunohistochemical (nuclear factor kappa B) and biochemical analysis (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-6 and 1β [IL-6 and IL-1β], CRP, high-sensitivity CRP [hs-CRP] amylase, lipase, and ICAM-1). Ultrastructural analysis was performed by transmission electron microscopy.

Results

The protective and therapeutic actions of ruscogenin were accomplished by improvements in histopathology, by decreasing blood cytokine levels of CRP, hs-CRP levels, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, by reducing the pancreatic enzymes amylase and lipase in blood, and by suppressing the expression of nuclear factor kappa B, ICAM-1, and NOS-1, but not MDA in pancreatic tissues. Ruscogenin also improved cerulein-induced ultrastructural degenerations in endocrine and exocrine cells, especially in treatment group.

Conclusion

The present findings have demonstrated the beneficial protective and therapeutical effects of ruscogenin, nominating it as a highly promising supplementary agent to be considered in the treatment of AP, and even as a protective agent against the damages induced by disease.