In the present study, we have investigated the effects of
polyphenol-rich infusions from
carob leaves and OFI-cladodes on
inflammation associated with
obesity and
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced
ulcerative colitis in Swiss mice. In vitro studies revealed that aqueous extracts of
carob leaves and OFI-cladodes exhibited anti-inflammatory properties marked by the inhibition of
IL-6, TNF-α and
nitric oxide (NO) production in
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells concomitant with NF-κβ nucleus translocation inhibition. For in vivo investigations, Swiss male mice were subjected to control or high fat diet (HFD). At the 8th week after the start of study, animals received or not 1% infusion of either
carob leaves or OFI-cladode for 4 weeks and were subjected to 2% DSS administration in
drinking water over last 7 days. After sacrifice, pro-inflammatory
cytokines levels in plasma and their
mRNA expression in different organs were determined. Results showed that
carob leaf and OFI-cladode infusions reduced
inflammation severity associated with HFD-induced
obesity and DSS-induced acute
colitis indicated by decrease in pro-inflammatory
cytokines expression (as such TNF-α, IL1b and IL-6) in colon, adipose tissue and spleen. In addition, plasma levels of
IL-6 and TNF-α were also curtailed in response to infusions treatment. Thus,
carob leaf and OFI-cladode infusions prevented intestinal permeability through the restoration of
tight junction proteins (Zo1,
occludins) and immune homeostasis. Hence, the anti-inflammatory effect of
carob leaves and OFI-cladodes could be attributed to their
polyphenols which might alleviate
inflammation severity associated with
obesity and
colitis.