Barrier Strengthening And Anti-Inflammatory Effect Of Cucurbit Fruits On Intestinal Epithelial Cells In-Vitro

Keywords

Adhesion; Cucurbit; Cyclooxygenases; Inflammation; Lactobacillus; Mucin; Tight-junction

Abstract

Background: Acute and chronic infections and inflammations in the gut are highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. Therapeutic measures like Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) often manifest toxic effects. Objective: Some herbal agents (cucurbit fruits) were investigated in-vitro for gut-barrier reinforcement and anti-inflammatory action. Methods: Zonula Occludens (ZO-1), mucin (MUC-2), cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) expressions were estimated through ELISA kits. Nitric oxide (NO) was estimated through Griess reaction and adhesion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lrh) to epithelial cells was evaluated microscopically. Results: TNF-α (10 ng/mL) induced inflammatory reaction in epithelial cells (HT-29 and Caco-2) by decreasing ZO-1 proteins. Cells pretreated with cucurbits, when challenged by TNF-α, countered the reduction of ZO-1 proteins, but pretreatment with indomethacin (NSAID) decreased the expression of ZO-1 further. Addition of Lrh to HT-29 cultures, enhanced mucin (MUC-2) production. Cucurbits alone did not enhance MUC-2 production in HT-29 cells but the addition of cucurbits to the combination of Lrh + HT-29 cells significantly increased MUC-2 production and adhesion of Lrh to epithelial cells. TNF-α and LPS treatment to Caco-2 cells increased COX-2 and NO production, but pretreatment with either cucurbits or indomethacin rendered their decrease. Pretreatment with indomethacin decreased COX-1 production in Caco-2 cells but pretreatment with cucurbits yielded enhanced COX-1 expression. Conclusion: This study revealed the potential of cucurbits as non-toxic anti-inflammatory and barrier strengthening agents against gut ailments.

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Publication Title

Current Nutrition and Food Science

Volume

14

Issue

2

Number of Pages

143-153

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401313666170427123153

Socpus ID

85051210503 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85051210503

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