Role of dietary phospholipids and phytosterols in protection against peptic ulceration as shown by experiments on rats

Phytosterols and the Digestive System: A Review Study from Insights into Their Potential Health Benefits and Safety

Phytosterols are a large group of substances belonging to sterols-compounds naturally occurring in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The most well-known animal sterol is cholesterol. Among phytosterols, the most significant compounds are β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol. At present, they are mainly employed in functional food products designed to counteract cardiovascular disorders by lowering levels of 'bad' cholesterol, which stands as their most extensively studied purpose. It is currently understood that phytosterols may also alleviate conditions associated with the gastrointestinal system. Their beneficial pharmacological properties in relation to gastrointestinal tract include anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Also, the anti-cancer properties as well as the impact on the gut microbiome could be a very interesting area of research, which might potentially lead to the discovery of their new application. This article provides consolidated knowledge on a new potential use of phytosterols, namely the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal diseases. The cited studies indicate high therapeutic efficacy in conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, IBD or liver failure caused by hepatotoxic xenobiotics, however, these are mainly in vitro or in vivo studies. Nevertheless, studies to date indicate their therapeutic potential as adjunctive treatments to conventional therapies, which often exhibit unsatisfactory efficacy or serious side effects. Unfortunately, at this point there is a lack of significant clinical study data to use phytosterols in clinical practice in this area.

Countenance and implication of Β-sitosterol, Β-amyrin and epiafzelechin in nickel exposed Rat: in-silico and in-vivo approach

The detrimental impact of reactive oxygen species on D.N.A. repair processes is one of the contributing factors to colon cancer. The idea that oxidative stress may be a significant etiological element for carcinogenesis is currently receiving more and more support. The goal of the current study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of three powerful phytocompounds-sitosterol, amyrin, and epiafzelechin-alone and in various therapeutic combinations against colon cancer to identify the critical mechanisms that mitigate nickel's carcinogenic effect. To evaluate the ligand-protein interaction of four selected components against Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) inhibitor and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) molecular docking approach was applied using PyRx bioinformatics tool. For in vivo analysis, hundred albino rats were included, divided into ten groups, each containing ten rats of weight 160-200 g. All the groups were injected with 1 ml/kg nickel intraperitoneally per week for three months, excluding the negative control group. Three of the ten groups were treated with β-sitosterol (100 mg/kg b wt), β-amyrin (100 mg/kg b wt), and epiafzelechin (200 mg/kg b wt), respectively, for one month. The later four groups were fed with combinatorial treatments of the three phyto compounds for one month. The last group was administered with commercial drug Nalgin (500 mg/kg b wt). The biochemical parameters Creatinine, Protein carbonyl, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), VEGF, MMP-9 Inhibitor, and IL-10 were estimated using ELISA kits and Glutathione (G.S.H.), Superoxide dismutase (S.O.D.), Catalase (C.A.T.) and Nitric Oxide (NO) were analyzed manually. The correlation was analyzed through Pearson's correlation matrix. All the parameters were significantly raised in the positive control group, indicating significant inflammation. At the same time, the levels of the foresaid biomarkers were decreased in the serum in all the other groups treated with the three phytocompounds in different dose patterns. However, the best recovery was observed in the group where the three active compounds were administered concomitantly. The correlation matrix indicated a significant positive correlation of IL-10 vs VEGF (r = 0.749**, p = 0.009), MMP-9 inhibitor vs SOD (r = 0.748**, p = 0.0 21). The study concluded that the three phytocompounds β-sitosterol, β-amyrin, and epiafzelechin are important anticancer agents which can target the cancerous biomarkers and might be used as a better therapeutic approach against colon cancer soon.

Research progress of ginseng in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer has become one of the major causes of human death. Several anticancer drugs are available; howeve their use and efficacy are limited by the toxic side effects and drug resistance caused by their continuous application. Many natural products have antitumor effects with low toxicity and fewer adverse effects. Moreover, they play an important role in enhancing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, reducing toxic side effects, and reversing chemoresistance. Consequently, natural drugs are being applied as potential therapeutic options in the field of antitumor treatment. As natural medicinal plants, some components of ginseng have been shown to have excellent efficacy and a good safety profile for cancer treatment. The pharmacological activities and possible mechanisms of action of ginseng have been identified. Its broad range of pharmacological activities includes antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-fibrotic, central nervous system modulating, cardioprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Numerous studies have also shown that throuth multiple pathways, ginseng and its active ingredients exert antitumor effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors, such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Herein, we introduced the main components of ginseng, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and sterols, etc., and reviewed the mechanism of action and research progress of ginseng in the treatment of various GI tumors. Futhermore, the pathways of action of the main components of ginseng are discussed in depth to promote the clinical development and application of ginseng in the field of anti-GI tumors.

Functional Profiling and Future Research Direction of Rice Bran Oil in Bangladesh

Rice bran oil (RBO) has been demonstrated to affect complex malfunctioned conditions such as oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, inflammation, abnormal cell growth (cancer), ulceration, immune and cognitive modulation. This unique effect of RBO is due to the presence of well-balanced fatty acid composition and several bioactive compounds, γ- oryzanol (cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate, campesterol ferulate, and β-sitosteryl ferulate), vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol), phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol) and other nutrients. The RBO composition of bioactive compounds varied geographically, thus the clear-cut mechanisms of action on complex disease cascades are still required. This review article summarized the RBO compositional profiling and compared it with other edible oils. This article also summarized Bangladesh RBO profiling and their proposed mechanism of action as well as the first line of defense in the prevention, management, and control of complex disease conditions. This review indicates how Bangladesh RBO increase their opportunity to be functional food for 21st century's ailment.

Stigmasterol Restores the Balance of Treg/Th17 Cells by Activating the Butyrate-PPARγ Axis in Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with gut microbiota disequilibrium and regulatory T (Treg)/T helper 17 (Th17) immune imbalance. Stigmasterol, a plant-derived sterol, has shown anti-inflammatory effects. Our study aimed to identify the effects of stigmasterol on experimental colitis and the related mechanisms. Stigmasterol treatment restored the Treg/Th17 balance and altered the gut microbiota in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model. Transplantation of the faecal microbiota of stigmasterol-treated mice significantly alleviated inflammation. Additionally, stigmasterol treatment enhanced the production of gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate. Next, human naïve CD4+ T cells sorted from IBD patients were cultured under Treg- or Th17-polarizing conditions; butyrate supplementation increased the differentiation of Tregs and decreased Th17 cell differentiation. Mechanistically, butyrate activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and reprogrammed energy metabolism, thereby promoting Treg differentiation and inhibiting Th17 differentiation. Our results demonstrate that butyrate-mediated PPARγ activation restores the balance of Treg/Th17 cells, and this may be a possible mechanism, by which stigmasterol attenuates IBD.

Interface-Mediated Mechanism of Action-The Root of the Cytoprotective Effect of Immediate-Release Omeprazole

Omeprazole is usually administered under an enteric coating. However, there is a Food and Drug Administration-approved strategy that enables its release in the stomach. When locally absorbed, omeprazole shows a higher efficacy and a cytoprotective effect, whose mechanism was still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of the absorption route on the gastric mucosa. 2D and 3D models of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) at different pH values (5.0 and 7.4) were used to mimic different absorption conditions. Several experimental techniques, namely, fluorescence studies, X-ray scattering methodologies, and Langmuir monolayers coupled with microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy techniques, were combined with molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between omeprazole and DPPC rearranged the conformational state of DPPC. Omeprazole intercalates among DPPC molecules, promoting domain formation with untilted phospholipids. Hence, the local release of omeprazole enables its action as a phospholipid-like drug, which can reinforce and protect the gastric mucosa.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and TNF-α inhibition (upon RAW 264.7 cell line) followed by the selection of extract (leaf and stem) with respect to potency to introduce anti-oral-ulcer model obtained from Olax psittacorum (Lam.) Vahl in addition to GC-MS illustration

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Olax psittacorum (Lam.) Vahl., belongs to family olacaceae claimed as an "Issan folk medicine" portray the ethnomedicinal value like curative property of infection in the urinary tract, analgesic, antipyretic, skin-ulcer, antianemic (bark) as well as food additives (leaves). Research articles have proven the presence of anti-swelling property, laxative action, and antiviral activity against poliovirus moreover, the antioxidant property too.

AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT

Evaluation of antiulcer property (induced within the oral mucosa) of the extract selected amongst two extracts based upon better property towards the ability of anti-inflammatory and analgesia through the in-vivo model as well as the inhibitory property of TNF-α (cell line RAW264.7). To justify the presence of activity extracts were introduced for GC-MS investigation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Methanolic extracts (leaf; LME and stem; SME) were collected through maceration and introduced to carrageenan-induced paw edema to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and formalin-induced as well as tail-flick in-vivo models to evaluate the analgesic property. Anti-oral ulcer property was analyzed through the acetic-acid induced in-vivo model. The cytotoxicity was performed on mouse macrophages and fibroblast cells to find a toxic concentration of test substances and to evaluate their modulatory effect of TNF-α inhibition property against LPS induced toxicity.

RESULTS

As compared to diclofenac (100 mg/kg) only LME and SME 200 mg/kg dose group have insignificant (P < 0.05) difference and P-values are 0.99 and 0.88 respectively. From the overall outcome, it can be concluded that compared to the diclofenac (100 mg/kg) group from 4th hours onwards LME (200 mg/kg) group was able to sustain the inflammation so similar. According to statistical consideration, LME (200 mg/kg) dose has also shown better results in formalin-induced analgesia as well as tail-flick. Cytotoxicity (CTC₅₀) concentrations of LME and SME are 419.60 ± 4.09 and 230.21 ± 0.79 μg/ml respectively on RAW264.7 cell line. According to CTC₅₀ the highest concentration of LME and SME is 400 and 200 μg/ml respectively has chosen to evaluate percentage inhibition of TNF-α as compared to diclofenac sodium (25 μg/ml). 50% inhibition was achieved by LME as well as diclofenac i.e. 51.2 ± 2.6% and 50.3 ± 0.8% instead of SME i.e. 45.2 ± 1.7%. As compared to the negative group on DAY-4, LME 200 mg/kg/bw dose shown proper growth of epithelial or mucosal layer which reveals proper healing of the surface of the tongue with no sign of injury. GC-MS results also reveal that, LME and SME both have Cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl; Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester which are responsible for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity but besides, LME has more 4 compounds responsible for activities these are methyl salicylate; phytol; β-Sitosterol; 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid,2,3-bis[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]propyl ester, (Z, Z, Z).

CONCLUSION

The overall outcomes of the study encapsulate that LME extract with a dose of 200 mg/kg/bw will be a good choice to overcome the above-cited ailments. Further studies upon this plant are needed to establish its importance in the human society through quantitative isolation of the metabolites and their pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynamic evaluation to establish the proper pathway of action.

Effect of a novel fermented soy product on gastric ulcer scores in horses

Non-pharmaceutical methods are desirable to treat or prevent gastric ulceration in horses. This two-period, randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplementation (25 g once daily in feed for 30 days) with Fermaid®Ease 187 (FE, Lallemand Australia Pty Ltd, Maroochydore, Australia) on gastric squamous and glandular mucosal ulcer scores in horses. Gastroscopy of 120 horses presented to the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University (CSU; Bathurst, Australia) or at local training establishments identified 60 horses with spontaneous gastric ulcer disease (50%). Of horses eligible for inclusion, 29 horses were recruited and randomised to receive either the FE or placebo for 30 days. Effects were assessed by repeat gastroscopy (Day 31), at which time horses started the reciprocal treatment. Eleven horses successfully completed both treatment periods. Treatment with FE showed a significant decrease in squamous ulcer scores in period 1 (P=0.008), with a similar effect observed in period 2. No change was observed in squamous ulcer scores for horses receiving placebo treatment in period 1, but increased squamous scores were observed in horses receiving placebo treatment in period 2 (P=0.062). Squamous ulcer scores on Day 31 were significantly lower (P=0.005) following FE treatment than for horses receiving the placebo treatment. No effects were observed on glandular ulcer scores. This study supported the use of FE in horses predisposed to ulceration of the squamous gastric mucosa.

Pumpkin Oil-Based Nanostructured Lipid Carrier System for Antiulcer Effect in NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model in Rats

Background

Peptic ulcer disease, a painful lesion of the gastric mucosa, is considered one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. This study aims to investigate the formulation of pumpkin seed oil (PSO)-based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to utilize PSO as the liquid lipid component of NLCs and to achieve oil dispersion in the nano-range in the stomach.

Methods

Box–Behnken design was utilized to deduce the optimum formula with minimum particle size. The optimized PSO-NLCs formula was investigated for gastric ulcer protective effects in Wistar rats by evaluating ulcer index and determination of gastric mucosa oxidative stress parameters.

Results

PSO was successfully incorporated as the liquid lipid (LL) component of NLCs. The prepared optimum PSO-NLCs formula showed a size of 64.3 nm. Pretreatment of animals using the optimized PSO-NLCs formula showed significantly (p< 0.001) lower ulcer index compared to indomethacin alone group and significantly (p<0.05) less mucosal lesions compared to the raw oil.

Conclusion

These results indicated great potential for future application of optimized PSO-NLCs formula for antiulcer effect in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric ulcer.

In search of safe pain relief: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of phytosteryl ibuprofenates

β-Sitosteryl (S)-ibuprofenate (2), stigmasteryl (S)-ibuprofenate (3), ergosteryl (S)-ibuprofenate (4), and cholesteryl (S)-ibuprofenate (5) were prepared in 70-75% yields by Steglich esterification and were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, as well as by MS. The new esters were evaluated in in vivo pain models of antinociception and anti-inflammation using the writhing, formalin, and carrageenan tests, in mice and rats, and the results were compared with those of (S)-ibuprofen (1). Damage to the gastric mucosa of animals was also assessed. The results indicated that 2-5 have comparable or eventually better activity than 1 at the same mg/kg doses. Since the molecular weight ratio of esters 2-5 to ibuprofen is about 3-1, the amount of truly incorporated ibuprofen was roughly one third to achieve similar effects. This resulted in minimal gastrointestinal damage in the stomach of the animals, in contrast to the large gastric injury caused by (S)-ibuprofen.

Ancient orphan legume horse gram: a potential food and forage crop of future

Tailoring crops to withstand rising temperature and declining precipitation may be unrewarding, therefore the potential of alternative undervalued crops such as horse gram can be explored for safeguarding food and nutritional security with health benefits in the era of climate change. Horse gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc] under the family Fabaceae, has been cultivated for food, folklore medicine and fodder mainly by rural and tribal communities since prehistoric times in Asian and African countries. This valuable ancient legume not only offers diversification and resilience to agro-ecosystems but it also possesses high adaptation in risk-prone traditional farming systems in marginal environments of semi-arid and arid regions. Being a nutrient dense legume with remedial health-promoting effects due to the presence of various bioactive compounds, it is suitable for the development of functional food as well as for addressing micronutrient deficiencies among poor rural communities. Despite its enormous potential and a growing awareness about the utility of this underutilized crop for future climate adaptation and human well-being, this legume continues to be seriously neglected and labelled as "food of the poors". India is the major producer of horse gram and presently, cultivation of horse gram remains confined to small-scale farming systems as an inter- or mixed crop. This crop is alienated from mainstream agriculture and relegated to a status of "underutilized" due to its limited competitiveness as compared to other commercial crops. Besides a scanty basic research on this crop, no attention has been paid to the factors like improvement of plant type, yield improvement, processing, value addition to suit consumer needs and reduction of anti-nutritional factors, which restricted the diffusion of this crop outside its niche area. The present review therefore is an attempt to compile the meagre information available on crop history, evolution, genetic enhancement, nutritional and health benefits to make the crop competitive and revitalize horse gram cultivation.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY CAPACITY OF BETA-SITOSTEROL IN RODENT ASSAYS

BACKGROUND

Beta-sitosterol (BS) is a compound discovered to be present in numerous plants. A number of interesting biomedical properties have been attributed to BS, including immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the aim of this report was to evaluate its anti-inflammatory capacity by applying various rodent experimental tests.

METHODS

To carry out the objective of the study we applied the methods indicated here. Two of the adopted methods were based on the passive reverse Arthus reaction: the rat paw edema test and the rat pleurisy assay. We also applied two methods related with the non-specific acute inflammation: the mouse ear edema test, and the mouse mieloperoxidase activity assay.

RESULTS

The results obtained in all tests established a significant anti-inflammatory potential of BS. In the rat paw edema test we found an inhibitory effect which goes from 50-70%; in the rat pleurisy assay our findings with respect to the volume of pleural exuded showed a reduction of 46%, as well as a 20% low amount of neutrophils in comparison with the level of the control group. In the mouse ear edema test we found a mean inflammatory inhibition of 75%, and with respect to mieloproxidase activity the results showed a significant inhibition induced by the three doses of BS.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study we determined a potent anti-inflammatory capacity of BS in specific and non-specific types of acute inflammation in rodents.