Sulforaphane attenuates 5-fluorouracil induced intestinal injury in mice

Protective effects of sulforaphane against toxic substances and contaminants: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a dietary isothiocyanate, derived from glucoraphanin, present in cruciferous vegetables belonging to the Brassica genus. It is a biologically active phytochemical that acts as a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inducer. Thus, it has been reported to have multiple protective functions including anticancer responses and protection against a toxic agent's action.

PURPOSE

The present work systematically reviewed and synthesised the protective properties of sulforaphane against a toxic agent. This review reveals the mechanism of the action of SFN in each organ or system.

METHODS

The PRISMA guideline was followed in this sequence: researched literature, organised retrieved documents, abstracted relevant information, assessed study quality and bias, synthesised data, and prepared a comprehensive report. Searches were conducted on Science Direct and PubMed using the keywords "Sulforaphane" AND ("protective effects" OR "protection against").

RESULTS

Reports showed that liver and the nervous system are the target organs on which attention was focused, and this might be due to the key role of oxidative stress in liver and neurodegenerative diseases. However, protective activities have also been demonstrated in the lungs, heart, immune system, kidneys, and endocrine system. SFN exerts its protective effects by activating the Nrf2 pathway, which enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces oxidative stress. It also suppresses inflammation by decreasing interleukin production. Moreover, SFN inhibits apoptosis by preventing caspase 3 cleavage and increasing Bcl2 levels. Overall, SFN demonstrates multifaceted mechanisms to counteract the adverse effects of toxic agents.

CONCLUSION

SFN has potential clinical applications as a chemoprotective agent. Nevertheless, more studies are necessary to set the safe doses of SFN in humans.

Thymoquinone protects against 5-Fluorouracil-induced mucositis by NF-κβ and HIF-1 mechanisms in mice

Mucositis is among the most common side effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and other cancer therapeutic drugs. Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent extracted from Nigella sativa, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can modify acute gastrointestinal injury. To investigate the effects of TQ on mucositis induced by 5-FU, studied animals were divided into four groups: control, 5-FU unit dose (300 mg/kg) to cause oral and intestinal mucositis (OM and IM), TQ (2.5 mg/kg) and TQ (2.5 mg/kg) plus 5-FU. Due to The molecular mechanisms, it was confirmed that the expression of NF-κβ and HIF-1 increases in OM. The serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as pathological parameters, were assessed. Based on our results, the nuclear factor-kappa β gene expression in the tongue was downregulated significantly in the 5-FU + TQ compared to the 5-FU. TQ treatment can diminish MDA, and a reduction in oxidative stress was shown. TQ could also reduce the severity of tissue destruction and damaging effects induced by 5-FU on the tongue and intestine. We also observed lower villus length and width in the intestine of the 5-FU group compared to the control group. According to our research's pathological, biochemical, and molecular results, treatment with TQ as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound may be the potential to improve and treat 5-FU-induced OM and IM, and TQ could be used against cancer treatment drugs and exhibit fewer adverse effects.

Mito-TEMPO mitigates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal injury via attenuating mitochondrial oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis: an in vivo study

BACKGROUND

Recent evidences highlight role of mitochondria in the development of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal toxicity. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants are well-known for their protective effects in mitochondrial oxidative stress- mediated diseases. In the present study, we investigated protective effect of Mito-TEMPO in 5-FU-induced intestinal toxicity.

METHODS

Mito-TEMPO (0.1 mg/kg b.w.) was administered intraperitoneally to male BALB/c mice for 7 days, followed by co-administration of 5-FU for next 4 days (intraperitoneal 12 mg/kg b.w.). Protective effect of Mito-TEMPO on intestinal toxicity was assessed in terms of histopathological alterations, modulation in inflammatory markers, apoptotic cell death, expression of 8-OhDG, mitochondrial functional status and oxidative stress.

RESULTS

5-FU administered animals showed altered intestinal histoarchitecture wherein a shortening and atrophy of the villi was observed. The crypts were disorganized and inflammatory cell infiltration was noted. Mito-TEMPO pre-protected animals demonstrated improved histoarchitecture with normalization of villus height, better organized crypts and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. The inflammatory markers and myeloperoxidase activity were normalized in mito-TEMPO protected group. A significant reduction in intestinal apoptotic cell death and expression of 8-OhDG was also observed in mito-TEMPO group as compared to 5-FU group. Further, mtROS, mtLPO and mitochondrial antioxidant defense status were improved by mito-TEMPO.

CONCLUSION

Mito-TEMPO exerted significant protective effect against 5-FU-induced intestinal toxicity. Therefore, it may be used as an adjuvant in 5-FU chemotherapy.

Protective Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid against 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis in Rats

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is extensively utilized in multivitamin formulas and anti-aging products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential protective benefits of ALA on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in Wistar albino rats. Tissues from the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were excised, and blood sera were obtained to identify biochemical indices such as TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA, GPx, SOD, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1. A histopathological study was also performed. The results revealed mucositis-elevated TNF-, IL-1, MDA, MMP-1, -2, -8, and TIMP-1 levels in both tissues and sera, and these values dropped dramatically following ALA treatment. Reduced SOD and GPx activities in mucositis groups were reversed in ALA-treated groups. The damage produced by mucositis in the stomach and small intestine regressed in the ALA-treated group, according to histopathological evaluation. Consequently, the implementation of ALA supplementation in 5-FU therapy may act as a protective intervention for cancer patients with gastrointestinal mucositis. In light of the findings, ALA, a food-derived antioxidant with pleiotropic properties, may be an effective treatment for 5-FU-induced gastrointestinal mucositus, and prevent oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue damage in cancer patients receiving 5-FU therapy.

Taurine Treatment Alleviates Intestinal Mucositis Induced by 5-Fluorouracil in Mice

Taurine (Tau), a β-amino acid, exists in red goji fruit (Lycium barbarum L.). It exerts many cellular physiological functions such as anti-inflammation and oxidation resistance. The chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU) can cause intestinal mucositis. However, current therapeutic approaches for mucositis have limited efficacy and are associated with various side effects. It is still unknown whether Tau can alleviate intestinal mucositis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of the Tau in a mucositis mouse model and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The intestinal mucositis symptoms were alleviated by the Tau administration as evidenced by decreased body weight loss, histopathological score, oxidative stress, and improved glutathione (GSH). The Tau supplementation strengthened intestinal epithelial tight junction and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels in intestinal mucositis mice. Moreover, the 5FU-induced inflammatory responses were alleviated by Tau treatment via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) and nuclear factor kappa-B/inducible nitric oxide synthase (NF-κB/iNOS) signaling pathway. Tau administration modulated short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon of mice. The results indicated that the Tau might be a new dietary strategy for intestinal mucositis caused by 5FU.

The functional role of sulforaphane in intestinal inflammation: a review

Intestinal inflammation represented by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global epidemic disease and the number of patients with IBD continues to increase. This digestive tract disease not only affects the absorption of food components by destroying the intestinal epithelial structure, but also can induce diseases in remote organs via the gut-organ axis, seriously harming human health. Nowadays, increasing attention is being paid to the nutritional and medicinal value of food components with increasing awareness among the general public regarding health. As an important member of the isothiocyanates, sulforaphane (SFN) is abundant in cruciferous plants and is famous for its excellent anti-cancer effects. With the development of clinical research, more physiological activities of SFN, such as antidepressant, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities, have been discovered, supporting the fact that SFN and SFN-rich sources have great potential to be dietary supplements that are beneficial to health. This review summarizes the characteristics of intestinal inflammation, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SFN and its various protective effects on intestinal inflammation, and the possible future applications of SFN for promoting intestinal health have also been discussed.

Aloe polysaccharides ameliorate acute colitis in mice via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and short-chain fatty acids metabolism

Aloe polysaccharides (APs) are acetyl polysaccharides. It has been reported APs could protect mice from ulcerative colitis (UC), but the complex interactions between APs and the intestinal barrier were unclear. Here, we investigated the relationship between APs and UC, and determined the synergistic effects of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolism on protecting intestinal barrier in acute UC mice. Results showed APs could scavenge free radicals in vitro. In vivo, APs had the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect both in serum and colon. Besides, the pathological results showed APs could alleviate colonic lesions. Furthermore, our study indicated treatment with APs effectively increased SCFAs production. The inhibition of acute UC in mice was correlated with the APs-mediated effects on improving the expression of ZO-1, occludin, Nrf2, HO-I, and NQO1. Thus, APs effectively promoted the intestinal barrier via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and SCFAs metabolism, effectively ameliorating acute colitis in mice.

PEA/Polydatin: Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Approach to Counteract DNBS-Induced Colitis

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has well-known anti-inflammatory effects. However, PEA does not possess an antioxidant ability. A comicronized formulation of ultramicronized PEA (um-PEA) and polydatin (Pol) PEA/Pol, a biological precursor of resveratrol with antioxidant activity, could have protective effects on oxidative stress produced by inflammatory processes. We evaluated the effects of a comicronized PEA/Pol 10 mg/kg (9 mg of um-PEA+1 mg of polydatin) in a model of Dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis. Ulcerative colitis was induced in mice by intrarectally injection of DNBS (4 mg in 100 µL of 50% ethanol per mouse). Macroscopic and histologic colon alterations and marked clinical signs were observed four days after DNBS and elevated cytokine production. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assessed for neutrophil infiltration was associated with ICAM-1 and P-selectin adhesion controls in colons. Oxidative stress was detected with increased poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and nitrotyrosine positive staining and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in inflamed colons. Macroscopic and histologic alterations minimized by oral PEA/Pol, as well as neutrophil infiltration, inflammatory cytokine release, MDA, nitrotyrosine, PARP and ICAM-1, and P-selectin expressions. The mechanism of action of PEA/Pol could be related to the sirtuin 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (SIRT-1/Nrf2) pathway and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. PEA/Pol administration inhibited NF-κB and increased SIRT-1/Nrf2 expressions. Our results show that PEA/Pol is capable of decreasing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) DNBS-induced in mice.

Nutritional combinatorial impact on the gut microbiota and plasma short-chain fatty acids levels in the prevention of mammary cancer in Her2/neu estrogen receptor-negative transgenic mice

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Various nutritional compounds possess anti-carcinogenic properties which may be mediated through their effects on the gut microbiota and its production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) for the prevention of breast cancer. We evaluated the impact of broccoli sprouts (BSp), green tea polyphenols (GTPs) and their combination on the gut microbiota and SCFAs metabolism from the microbiota in Her2/neu transgenic mice that spontaneously develop estrogen receptor-negative [ER(-)] mammary tumors. The mice were grouped based on the dietary treatment: control, BSp, GTPs or their combination from beginning in early life (BE) or life-long from conception (LC). We found that the combination group showed the strongest inhibiting effect on tumor growth volume and a significant increase in tumor latency. BSp treatment was integrally more efficacious than the GTPs group when compared to the control group. There was similar clustering of microbiota of BSp-fed mice with combination-fed mice, and GTPs-fed mice with control-fed mice at pre-tumor in the BE group and at pre-tumor and post-tumor in the LC group. The mice on all dietary treatment groups incurred a significant increase of Adlercreutzia, Lactobacillus genus and Lachnospiraceae, S24-7 family in the both BE and LC groups. We found no change in SCFAs levels in the plasma of BSp-fed, GTPs-fed and combination-fed mice of the BE group. Marked changes were observed in the mice of the LC group consisting of significant increases in propionate and isobutyrate in GTPs-fed and combination-fed mice. These studies indicate that nutrients such as BSp and GTPs differentially affect the gut microbial composition in both the BE and LC groups and the key metabolites (SCFAs) levels in the LC group. The findings also suggest that temporal factors related to different time windows of consumption during the life-span can have a promising influence on the gut microbial composition, SCFAs profiles and ER(-) breast cancer prevention.

Cruciferous vegetables: rationale for exploring potential salutary effects of sulforaphane-rich foods in patients with chronic kidney disease

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a sulfur-containing isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae) and a well-known activator of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), considered a master regulator of cellular antioxidant responses. Patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) present with high levels of oxidative stress and a massive inflammatory burden associated with diminished Nrf2 and elevated nuclear transcription factor-κB-κB expression. Because it is a common constituent of dietary vegetables, the salutogenic properties of sulforaphane, especially it’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, have been explored as a nutritional intervention in a range of diseases of ageing, though data on CKD remain scarce. In this brief review, the effects of SFN as a senotherapeutic agent are described and a rationale is provided for studies that aim to explore the potential benefits of SFN-rich foods in patients with CKD.