Slimen Selmi

Protective effect of Artemisia campestris extract against aspirin-induced gastric lesions and oxidative stress in rat

The present study aims at evaluating the antiulcer and antioxidant effect of Artemisia campestris aqueous extract (ACAE) as well as the mechanism of action involved in such gastroprotection. The use of LC/MS allowed the identification of 11 phenolic compounds and the colorimetric analysis demonstrated that the ACAE exhibited an important in vitro antioxidant activity. We first showed that in vivo ACAE protected against macroscopic and histological changes induced by aspirin in stomach mucosa. Aspirin administration was accompanied by an oxidative stress status assessed by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, a decrease in the content of sulfhydryl –(SH) groups and a depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Pre-treatment with ACAE protected against aspirin-induced gastric oxidative stress. More importantly, aspirin administration increased plasma and tissue hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), free iron and calcium levels, while the ACAE pre-treatment reversed all the effects of aspirin-induced intracellular mediators. In conclusion, we suggest that Artemisia campestris aqueous extract has potent antiulcer and antioxidant properties. This gastroprotection offered by ACAE might be related partly to the safety of sulfhydryl group as well as its opposite effect on some intracellular mediators such as hydrogen peroxide, free iron and calcium.

Irinotecan chemotherapy-induced intestinal oxidative stress: Underlying causes of disturbed mucosal water and electrolyte transport

Irinotecan, a chemotherapy drug, can cause acute diarrhea immediately after administration. Hence, the present study was designed to investigate the gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances after an intraperitoneal (IP) administration of irinotecan in rats.Twenty Wistar rats were separated into two groups of ten. Group A was considered as a control group (NaCl, 0.9%). Group B was treated with irinotecan at a single dose of 200mgkg-1. The rats were observed for defecation. For the enteropooling test, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation 1h post-treatment. The small intestine was excised and the fluid was milked into a graduated tube and the volume was measured. After centrifugation of intraluminal liquid, the electrolyte concentrations in the supernatants were measured by flame photometry. Oxidative stress parameters and intracellular mediators as well as the MPO activity were determined in intestinal mucosa by colorimetric methods Our result indicated that irinotecan produces an intestinal fluid accumulation and electrolyte transport disorders. These effects were associated with augmented intestinal MPO activity and oxidative damage such as an elevation of MDA production and a depletion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. More than that, drug administration provoked intracellular mediator disturbances such as a free iron, H2O2 and calcium levels. In conclusion, the data suggest that irinotecan caused a gastrointestinal stress via oxidative stress-induced disturbances in water and electrolyte transport in the intestinal mucosa in rats.

Chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of carob pods and leaves (Ceratonia siliqua L.) on the gastrointestinal tract: A review

Carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua L., is a medicinal plant used in Tunisian traditional medicine for the treatment of the gastro-intestinal (GI) disorders. In this respect, a relatively large number of scientific publications on the carob tree have been published in recent years. Therefore, the present review was aimed to analyze the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ceratonia siliqua on the GI tract. Indeed, previous investigations on the carob pods and leaves have revealed the presence of a number of compounds including high amounts of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, minerals, polyphenols, flavonoids and low amounts of protein and lipids. This plant possesses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diarrheique, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-constipation and anti-absorptive of glucose activities in the gastrointestinal tract. Based on the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of C. siliqua, we concluded that this species has beneficial preventive and therapeutic properties, especially, in digestive tract.

Vinblastine, an anticancer drug, causes constipation and oxidative stress as well as others disruptions in intestinal tract in rat

Graphical abstract

Ceratonia siliqua L. (immature carob bean) inhibits intestinal glucose absorption, improves glucose tolerance and protects against alloxan-induced diabetes in rat

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the effects of immature carob pod aqueous extract (ICPAE) on intestinal glucose absorption in vitro and in vivo using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as well as the potential antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. OGTT was carried by administration of glucose (2 g kg-1 , p.o.) and after treatment with extract (50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 body weight). Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg kg-1 ). However, the extracts at various doses or glibenclamide (GLB, 10 mg kg-1 body weight) were given by oral administration for 2 weeks. RESULTS ICPAE (50-2000 µg mL-1 ) exerted dose-dependent reduction of sodium-dependent glucose transport across isolated mice jejunum and the maximal inhibition exceeded 50%.The ICPAE treatment improved glucose tolerance. More importantly, ICPAE at various doses showed a significant reduction in blood glucose and biochemical profiles in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION Our findings confirm that the degree of maturity of carob characterized by a different phytochemical composition may be responsible for these actions. Therefore, these compounds may be used as a food supplement in hyperglycemia and diabetes treatments.

Preventive effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in rat

Inflammation and oxidative stress are a common mechanism of many gastrointestinal diseases such ulcerative colitis. Polyphenols are micronutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may play an interesting role in the prevention of intestinal inflammation. In this context, we examined the protective effect of carob pods aqueous extract (CPAE) against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced sub-acute experimental ulcerative colitis in a rat model. Colon inflammation was induced in rats by oral administration of synthetic DSS (5%) in the drinking water over 7 days. However, CPAE (50 and 100 mg kg−1 body weight) was given by oral administration for 21 days. At the end of the experimental period, the colon and plasma were examined for lipid peroxidation and cytokine determination as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and antioxidant enzyme activities. Our result indicated that DSS caused severe histopathological damage in the colon mucosa. The lesions were associated with increased MPO activity, cytokines and oxidative damage. The CPAE treatment restored dose-dependent body weight gain, prevented colonic shortening and reduced the severity of colonic lesions and biochemical alterations. It was concluded that CPAE consumption limits DSS-induced colonic damage in rats. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols may play a role in this effect.

Histopathological, biochemical and molecular changes of reproductive function after malathion exposure of prepubertal male mice

We aimed in the present work to evaluate the implication of oxidative stress in the toxicological effects of subchronic malathion exposure on reproductive function in mice. In this respect, we used prepubertal male mice separated into two groups: a control and a malathion treated group. Animals were treated by gavage (per orally, p.o.) with malathion at 200 mg kg−1, body weight (b.w.) during thirty days. We found that malathion treatment leads to the alteration of semen parameters such as a decrease of testosterone level and acetylcholinesterase activity, an induction of apoptosis and necrosis in spermatozoa as well as a decrease of reproductive performance of male mice. The histopathological examination showed a marked change in the testis tissue. Malathion intoxication was by an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level, a decrease of sulfhydril groups (–SH) content, as well as a depletion of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Cu/Zn–SOD and Mn–SOD in testis and epididymis. More importantly, malathion treatment clearly induced a decrease in mRNA expression of COX isoenzyme in cauda and epididymis as well as GPx-4 in testis and GPx-5 in epididymis. These data suggest that a marked deregulation of reproductive function in prepubertal male mice exposed to malathion might be partly due to pro-oxidant properties of the examined compound.

Phytochemical properties and pharmacological effects of Quercus ilex L. aqueous extract on gastrointestinal physiological parameters in vitro and in vivo

INTRODUCTION Several research studies have reported on the pharmacological relevance of the medicinal plants used for treating various gastrointestinal disorders and controlling the dietary glucose uptake in the intestinal tract. METHODS Male rats were used to investigate the pharmacological effects of green oak acorn aqueous extract (GOAE) on gastrointestinal physiological parameters in vivo and in vitro. In this respect, the gastro-intestinal motility and hypersecretion essays were evaluated using a simple test meal (10% charcoal in 5% gum arabic) and castor oil induced diarrhea. However, the effect of GOAE on glucose absorption and homeostasis was assessed by the Ussing chamber system and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measures. RESULTS Various doses of the Quercus ilex aqueous extract (125, 250 and 500mgkg-1) administered orally produced a significantly dose-related inhibition of gut meal travel distance in normal rat. The highest intestinal transit reduction of 49.34% was obtained with 500mgkg-1 compared to 58.33% caused by reference drug (clonidine, 1mgkg-1). In castor oil induced diarrhea in rat, Q. ilex extract reduced the frequency of defecation, fluid accumulation and electrolyte transport. These effects were associated with decreased histopathological damage and regulation of intracellular mediators disturbance in the intestinal mucosa. In addition, GOAE treatment improved glucose tolerance and significantly and dose-dependently reduced (>50%) the glucose absorption via intestinal epithelium. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of many bioactive natural compounds. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the extract was effective towards reducing diarrhea, fluid accumulation, electrolyte transport and glucose absorption, and no toxic effects of the GOAE presented on this study.

Ceratonia siliqua leaves exert a strong ROS-scavenging effect in human neutrophils, inhibit myeloperoxydase in vitro and protect against intestinal fluid and electrolytes secretion in rats

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are induced by biological, chemical and physical factors which are, in turn, associated with an increased risk of several human diseases. Plants are a large source of new bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential. In this respect, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of a Ceratonia siliqua L. leaf aqueous extract (CSLAE) on human neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, in vitro myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and expression as well as the small intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion. Neutrophils were isolated from whole human blood of healthy volunteers using the ficoll–dextran method and ROS generation and H2O2 were measured by luminol amplified chemiluminescence. Superoxide anion generation was also detected by chemiluminescence using the lucigenin method. MPO activity and quantity were measured by the tetramethylbenzidine oxidation method and Western blotting analysis. Concerning the in vivo part, fasted male rats received by gavage either the vehicle (NaCl, 0.9%), the extract at various doses (50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1) or clonidine (1 mg kg−1). An activated charcoal suspension was administered by oral gavage. Thirty minutes after receiving the charcoal meal, rats were euthanized and the small intestine was removed. The length of the small intestine and the distance traveled by the charcoal were recorded. Castor oil-induced hypersecretion in Wistar rats was treated with administration of CSLAE (50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1) and antidiarrheal drug, Atropine (0.1 mg kg−1 i.p.). CSLAE inhibited luminol-amplified chemiluminescence of (PMA)-stimulated neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner and is able to scavenge superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. The CSLAE also reduces significantly and dose-dependently MPO activity and expression. On the other hand, in vivo studies showed that the CSLAE decreased notably and dose-dependently the GIT activity, intestinal fluid and electrolyte concentration. The chemical analysis using a HPLC technique showed that the CSLAE is rich in phenolic compounds, especially kaempferol, tannic acid and catechin hydrate. The intended neutrophil inhibition is introduced as a part of a new strategy for pharmacological modulation of chronic inflammatory and oxidative stress processes. On the basis of these findings, it can be also assumed that CSLAE could be a potential source for novel discovery for antidiarrhoeal drug development.

Reverse Effect of Opuntia ficus-indica L. Juice and Seeds Aqueous Extract on Gastric Emptying and Small-Bowel Motility in Rat: Prickly pear juice/seeds and GE/GIT…

This study was conducted to compare the effects of juice and seeds on gastric emptying, small-bowel motility and intestinal ion transport. Separate groups of rats were randomized to receive NaCl, increasing doses of juice (5, 10, and 20 mL/kg, b.w.) or seeds aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, b.w.). Simultaneously, two other groups were received, the reference drugs; clonidine (1 mg/kg) and yohimbine (2 mg/kg). The charcoal meal was used as a suspension for gastrointestinal motility test. The purgative action of juice was confirmed using the loperamide (5 mg/kg, p.o.) induced constipation. To evaluate the antisecretory effect, we were used as a hypersecretion agent, the castor oil at the dose of 5 mL/kg. Compared to the control and standard groups, we were showed that the prickly pear has an opposite effect on small-bowel motility and gastric emptying. Indeed, the juice at various doses has a laxative effect of gastrointestinal transit in healthy and constipated-rats. However, the aqueous extract of the seeds leads to a reduction of motility in normal rats which gives it a remarkable antidiarrhoeal activity, a notable intestinal fluid accumulation decline and electrolyte concentrations reestablishment. Moreover, orally juice administered at different doses accelerated the stomach emptying time in contrast to the seeds aqueous extract. More importantly, a significant variation in the phytochemical constituents levels between juice and seeds was found. These findings confirm the reverse therapeutic effects of this fruit in the treatment of digestive disturbances such as difficulty stool evacuation and massive intestinal secretion, likewise, the gastric emptying process perturbation.