Role of Anti-Inflammatory, Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity and Nematicidal Properties of Myrtle Berry Seeds on Helminthiasis Treatment

Mohamed-Amine Jabri,Soumaya Hajaji,Kaïs Rtibi,Hichem Sebai 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.4

This study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokine production in the pathogenicity of gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice and also the protective effect of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berry seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). With this aim, Swiss Albino mice were divided into four groups of 10 animals each: control, helminthiasis, helminthiasis + MBSAE, and helminthiasis + Albendazole. The animals were infected with infective third larval stage (L3) of H. polygyrus by oral administration. Mice were treated with bidistilled water, MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) or Albendazole (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.). We have demonstrated that MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) significantly reduced the total mean adult worms compared with the infected and nontreated group. Moreover, hematological parameters, intestinal ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (OH•), and superoxide anion (O2•−), as well as serum cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were analyzed. We have shown that H. polygyrus infection has disrupted all these biochemical parameters and that MBSAE treatment has significantly corrected these disturbances. The effect of plant extract was comparable to the standard drug albendazole. Therefore, MBSAE appeared to be a promising agent for the control of intestinal helminthiasis.

Myrtle Berries Seeds Prevent Dyslipidemia, Inflammation, and Excessive Cardiac Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Response to High-Fat Diet–Induced Obesity

Mohamed-Amine Jabri,Soumaya Hajaji,Ameni Omrani,Meriam Ben Youssef,Hichem Sebai 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.9

Anthocyanins are the major polyphenols in myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). This studyinvestigates the protective potentials of MBSAE against obesity lipotoxicity and inflammation induced by a high-fat diet(HFD). It also describes the underlying mechanisms involved in its protective effects, with special attention to myocardialreactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Male Wistar rats were fed HFD for 6 weeks to induce obesity. MBSAE(100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) was orally administered to HFD-fed rats. Anti-obesity effects were triggered by the inhibitory action ofthe MBSAE against the weights of the body, its relative heart and the total abdominal fat. Treatment with MBSAE alsorestored the lipid profile to baseline compared with the HFD rats and lowered also the white blood cells count, includingneutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils number as well as cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-1b)levels in the rats serum, thus improving the tissue inflammatory status associated with obesity. Exposure of rats to HFD during6 weeks induces a myocardial oxidative stress as assessed by deleterious effects on lipoperoxidation state, antioxidant enzyme(SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities as well as sulfhydryl groups and GSH rates. Of importance, our study shows also that HFDprovokes a heart ROS (H2O2, OH, and O2-) overload. Of interest, all these oxidative heart disturbances were clearly endedby MBSAE treatment. Therefore, consumption of MBSAE as a natural extract may be a potential therapeutic strategy to treatobesity-associated diseases.

Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Components of Rosa canina Extract and Its Protective Effect on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Intestinal Bowel Disease in a Mouse Model

Dalanda Wanes,Mohamed-Amine Jabri,Haifa Tounsi,Kais Rtibi,Nacim Zouari,Najla Hajji,Mourad Jridi,Afifa Abdellaoui,Hichem Sebai 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.10

Rosa canina is a well-known medicinal plant used in folk remedy that alleviates various disorders, including inflammation, gastritis, and diarrhea. The objective of this investigation was to identify and quantify the phenolic components of R. canina methanolic extract (RCME) and to determine its protective action with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-generated mice colitis model. RCME chemical analysis was done using Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and experimental animals received RCME at different doses before colitis induction by oral DSS administration during 7 days. Another group received sulfasalazine as a positive control. Colitis damages and RCME benefits were assessed using histopathological and biochemical changes and improvements. Many phenolic compounds have been identified. In addition, the DSS intoxication induced an alteration of colonic epithelium associated with an oxidative stress state. DSS administration led to an increase or decrease of intracellular mediators such as free iron and ionizable calcium. RCME consumption effectively protected against colonic histological/biochemical alterations induced by DSS intoxication providing support for the traditional use of this plant.

Extraction of Pectin from Orange Peel and Study of Its Protective Effect Against Loperamide-Induced Impaired Gastrointestinal Motor Functions and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Fatma Arrari,Mohamed-Amine Jabri,Imen Hammami,Hichem Sebai 한국식품영양과학회 2022 Journal of medicinal food Vol.25 No.9

Pectin is a polysaccharide attached to carbohydrates. These are substances exclusively of plant origin. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the laxative effects of orange peel pectin extract (OPPE) against constipation induced by loperamide (LOP) in rats. Rats were equally divided into six groups and treated daily 1 week as follows: Control, LOP (3 mg/kg, body weight [b.w.], Per Os [p.o.]), LOP+yohimbine (2 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.), and LOP+OPPE (6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.). At the end of the experiment, the effects of OPPE were assessed by fecal parameters (numbers, weight, and water content), gastrointestinal transit, gastric emptying, serum metabolic parameter changes, intestinal and colon mucosa oxidative stress, and the histological examination. The defecation test showed that administration of LOP (3 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) leads to the production of remarkable constipation. Indeed, the number and water content of stools decreased (25.50 [n/24 h] and 29.86%) significantly (P < .05). Acute pretreatment with OPPE significantly and dose dependently accelerated the stool moistening and allowed an increase of stool weight (2.85, 3.61, 3.93 [g/24 h/rat]) as well as the frequency of defecation (47.36, 54.54, and 56.26 [n/24 h]). OPPE also significantly (P < .05) and dose dependently increased the intestinal motility (70.78%, 73.33%, and 75.01%) and gastric emptying. LOP-induced reduction (P < .05) of intestinal secretion was accompanied by a colonic and small bowel oxidative stress status and histological changes, which was attenuated by OPPE treatment. The findings of this study indicate that OPPE possesses an important role in the gastrointestinal motility regulation, and thus lend pharmacological credence to the suggested use of the natural pectin for the treatment, management, and/or control of constipation.

Protective Effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. Against a Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Alterations in Liver and Kidney in Rat

Kais Rtibi,Slimen Selmi,Mohammed-Amine Jabri,Jamel El-Benna,Mohamed Amri,Lamjed Marzouki,Hichem Sebai 한국식품영양과학회 2016 Journal of medicinal food Vol.19 No.9

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential protective role of Ceratonia siliqua L. against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in liver and kidney of rats. The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were induced in rats by oral administration of synthetic DSS (5%) in the drinking water for over 7 days. However, carob pods aqueous extract (CPAE; 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) was given by oral administration for 21 days. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde, H2O2 content, as well as the levels of antioxidant enzymes in organs were measured to observe the possible mechanisms. As a result, the CPAE counteracted DSS-induced increase of MPO activity, lipoperoxidation, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT). DSS administration increased also in the organs hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and free iron levels, whereas the CPAE pretreatment reversed all intracellular mediator perturbations. It was concluded that the CPAE exerted a potential protective effect against DSSinduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the rat organs. Consequently, it is essential that adequate care is taken when we use carob pods for patients with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.