Ziziphus spina-christi fruit extract suppresses oxidative stress and p38 MAPK expression in ulcerative colitis in rats via induction of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Ziziphus spina-christi fruit extract (ZFE) against acetic acid (AcOH)-induced colitis in rats. Before a single AcOH instillation, ZFE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) was administered for 5 days by oral gavage. Pretreatment with ZFE at different doses suppressed the spread of inflammation and inhibited mucosal damage; in addition, it reduced ulcer size and mitigated colitis markers. Administration of ZFE (400 mg/kg) resulted in a greater reduction of inflammatory colonic injury than that after reference drug, mesalazine (MLZ), administration. In addition, ZFE not only histopathologically ameliorated AcOH-induced colitis but also restored the balance between the oxidants and antioxidants. Furthermore, ZFE effectively modulated the mRNA expression of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 and heme oxygenase-1, downregulated the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and upregulated that of vascular endothelial growth factor A and interleukin-1β in AcOH-induced colitis in rats. In conclusion, our results suggested that ZFE could prevent the development of chronic experimental colitis in rats; therefore, it could be considered as an alternative and/or additive therapeutic approach for the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

• Authors: Rafa S Almeer, Sahar M Mahmoud, Hatem K Amin, Ahmed E Abdel Moneim
• Journal: Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (Food Chem Toxicol) Vol. 115 Pg. 49-62 (May 2018) ISSN: 1873-6351 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29518435 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• NF-E2-Related Factor 2
• Plant Extracts
• Heme Oxygenase-1
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Colitis, Ulcerative (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism)
• Fruit (chemistry)
• Heme Oxygenase-1 (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• NF-E2-Related Factor 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Ziziphus (chemistry)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (genetics, metabolism)