Mebendazole, an anti-helminth drug, suppresses inflammation, oxidative stress and injury in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis

The Role of Dicrocoelium dendriticum Egg Antigen in Colitis: A Molecular, Pathological and Serological Study in an Experimental Model of C57BL/6 Mice

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent disease of the gastrointestinal tract that enhances the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Since standard treatments such as Mesalazine have limited effectiveness and are often accompanied by numerous side effects, the use of immune modulators derived from worms has been proposed as a new immunotherapy method for inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of D. dendriticum egg antigen on DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS

D. dendriticum egg antigen was extracted and DSS (3.5%) was used to induce colitis in mice. Treatment and prophylaxis included intraperitoneal injections of D. dendriticum egg antigen. Histopathological indicators and the disease activity index (DAI), including weight loss, rectal bleeding, stool consistency, and rectal prolapse, were used to assess the severity of colitis. Real-time PCR measured the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-17 (IL-17), while ELISA determined the concentration of these cytokines.

RESULTS

Treatment with D. dendriticum egg antigen significantly improved the clinical symptoms and decreased the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Furthermore, D. dendriticum egg antigen increased the expression of TGF-β mRNA and reduced the expression of IL-17 mRNA, leading to a positive adjustment in the regulation of proteins and reduction of inflammatory proteins. As a result, the macroscopic, microscopic inflammation and activity index (DAI) of DSS-induced decreased.

CONCLUSION

D. dendriticum egg antigen provides a promising new way to modulate the immune system and improve ulcerative colitis.

Immunomodulatory effect of Dicrocoelium dendriticum ova on DSS-induced experimental colitis in C57BL/6 mouse

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly diminishes an individual's quality of life and increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Recent clinical and experimental findings suggest that infection with parasitic helminths may suppress the development of certain inflammatory conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of Dicrocoelium eggs on experimentally induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). C57BL/6 mice received 3.5% DSS orally for 7 days to induce colitis, during which they were treated intraperitoneally with Dicrocoelium eggs. The severity of colitis was assessed through parameters such as body weight, stool consistency or bleeding, disease activity index (DAI), colon lengths, macroscopic scores, histopathological findings, colon gene expression levels, and serum cytokine levels. Our results indicated that Dicrocoelium eggs administration significantly reduced the severity of colitis and disease activity. Histopathological scores improved, correlating with downregulation of IFN-γ and upregulation of IL-4 expression. This findings suggest the therapeutic potential of Dicrocoelium eggs in treating colitis. Immunotherapy involving Dicrocoelium eggs primarily induces a Th2 response and modulates IFN-γ, contributing to reduced inflammation in colitis. Thus, this approach could be a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating inflammation in IBD.

Isoliquiritigenin Containing PH Sensitive Micelles for Enhanced Anti-Colitis Activity

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is known to have a variety of pharmacological activities, but its poor water solubility limits its application. In order to improve the bioavailability of ISL and its anti-colitis activity, this study aims to develop an effective drug delivery system loaded with ISL. In this study, ISL pH-sensitive micelles (ISL-M) were prepared by thin film hydration method. The micellar size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), electrokinetic potential (ζ-potential), drug loading (DL), encapsulation rate (EE) and other physical parameters were characterized. The storage stability of ISL-M was tested, release in vitro and pharmacokinetic studies in rats were performed, and the anti-inflammatory effect of ISL-M on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was evaluated. The results showed that PS, PDI, ZP, EE% and DL% of ISL-M were 151.15±1.04 nm, 0.092±0.014, -31.32±0.721 mV, 93.97±1.53 % and 8.42±0.34 %, respectively. Compared with unformulated ISL (F-ISL), the cumulative release rate of ISL-M in the three different media was significantly increased and showed a certain pH sensitivity. The area under drug curve (AUC0-t) and peak concentration (Cmax) of ISL-M group were 2.94 and 4.06 times higher than those of ISL group. In addition, ISL-M is expected to develop new methods for increasing the bioavailability and anti-inflammatory activity of ISL.

Development of solid lipid nanoparticles-loaded drugs in parasitic diseases

Parasites cause illnesses with broad spectrum of symptoms from mild to severe, and are responsible for a significant number of outbreaks in the world. Current anti-parasitic drugs are toxic and have significant side effects. Nano-carriers are believed to obviate the limitations of conventional drugs via decreasing side effects and increasing target delivery and drug permeability with a controlled prolonged release of a drug. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which have frequently been practiced. Suitable release rate, stability, and target delivery make SLNs a good alternative for colloidal carriers. SLNs are supposed to have great potential to deliver natural products with anti-parasitic properties. Nanoparticles have employed to improve stability and capacity loading of SLNs, during recent years. This review describes development of SLNs, the methods of preparation, characterization, and loaded drugs into SLNs in parasitic diseases. In addition, we summarize recent development in anti-parasitic SLNs-loaded drugs.

Maximizing Treatment Options for IBD through Drug Repurposing

Chronic inflammation characterizes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Despite modest activity of disease in most UC patients, exacerbations occur, especially in those with severe symptoms, necessitating interventions, like colectomy. Current treatments for IBD, predominantly small molecule therapies, impose significant economic burdens. Drug repurposing offers a cost-effective alternative, leveraging existing drugs for novel therapeutic applications. This approach capitalizes on shared molecular pathways across diseases, accelerating therapeutic discovery while minimizing costs and risks. This article provides an overview of IBD and explores drug repurposing as a promising avenue for more effective and affordable treatments. Through computational and animal studies, potential drug candidates are categorized, offering insights into IBD pathogenesis and treatment strategies.

The Role of Dietary Habits in the Pathogenesis and Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic immune-mediated disease. The incidence of IBD is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors, with dietary habits gaining significant scientific interest. While the role of diet in the pathogenesis and development of IBD is still debated, recent studies have demonstrated its potential impact. However, conflicting findings exist regarding the efficacy of dietary interventions in the treatment and control of IBD. This review aimed to summarize the current understanding of the relationship between diet and IBD, highlighting the different perspectives and reasonings observed in recent studies. Overall, it has been shown that dietary habits play a role in the incidence of IBD, and adopting a controlled dietary approach may help manage the disease. Consequently, diet can be considered a predictive and prognostic factor in IBD.

The Effect of Drugs with α-Glutamyl-Tryptophan for Cytokine Secretion and Level of Surface Molecule ICAM-1 In Vitro

The study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of immunomodulatory drugs is important for substantiating their therapeutic effect. In the present work, spontaneous and TNFα-induced secretion of IL-1α and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the level of the ICAM-1 adhesion molecule in EA.hy 926 endothelial cell culture and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors, is studied using an in vitro model of inflammation in the presence of α-glutamyl-tryptophan (α-Glu-Trp) and Cytovir-3. The aim was to evaluate cellular mechanisms mediating the immunomodulatory effect of α-Glu-Trp and Cytovir-3 drugs. It was shown that α-Glu-Trp reduced TNFα-induced IL-1α production and increased TNFα-stimulated level of the ICAM-1 surface molecule of endothelial cells. At the same time, the drug reduced secretion of the IL-8 cytokine induced by TNFα and increased the spontaneous level of ICAM-1 in mononuclear cells. Cytovir-3 had an activating effect on EA.hy 926 endothelial cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. In its presence, there was an increase in the spontaneous secretion of IL-8 by endothelial and mononuclear cells. In addition, Cytovir-3 increased the level of TNFα-induced ICAM-1 on endothelial cells and increased the spontaneous level of this surface molecule on mononuclear cells. Suppression of stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines under the action of α-Glu-Trp both separately and as a part of Cytovir-3 may determine its anti-inflammatory properties. However, an increased level of the surface ICAM-1 molecule indicates mechanisms that enhance the functional activity of these cells, which is equally important for the implementation of an effective immune response to infection and repair of damaged tissues during inflammatory response.