Open AccessPotential Health Benefits of a Pomegranate Extract, Rich in Phenolic Compounds, in Intestinal Inflammation
Author(s) -
Marco Raffaele,
Khaled Greish,
Luca Vanella,
Giuseppe Carota,
Fatemah Bahman,
Khalid Mubarak Bindayna,
Ezzat Hicham,
Loredana Salerno,
Valeria Pittalà,
Ballistreri Gabriele,
Margherita Amenta,
Valeria Sorrenti
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
current nutrition and food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2212-3881
pISSN - 1573-4013
DOI - 10.2174/1573401317666210222103032
Subject(s) - ellagic acid , gallic acid , inflammation , antioxidant , polyphenol , in vivo , colitis , oxidative stress , ulcerative colitis , in vitro , pharmacology , chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , biology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , disease
Background: Pomegranate is a fruit rich in bioactive compounds such as punicalagins,gallic acid, and ellagic acid derivatives. It has been widely used since ancient times in traditionalmedicine for a wide variety of diseases. It has been reported that bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols,are able to induce the expression of cytoprotective enzymes, including HO-1. The contributionof HO-1 activity to the prevention of intestinal inflammation has been shown in differentmodels of Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Objective: Aim of the present research was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved inthe beneficial effects of a pomegranate extract (PE), rich in bioactive compounds in intestinal inflammation. Methods: Caco-2 cells exposed to LPS and DSS induced colitis were chosen as convenient experimentalmodels of intestinal inflammation. Results: Results obtained in our experimental conditions showed that PE in vitro was able to induceHO-1 and to reduce cellular damage and oxidative stress through an increase of GSH levels.Moreover, PE was able to decrease the pro-inflammatory marker IL-8 levels and activate TIGARpathway. The results obtained in vivo, in agreement with the data obtained in vitro, highlighted theability of PE to reduce intestinal inflammation, preserve the colon length and histological featuresand reduce IL-6 levels compared to the DSS treated group. Conclusion: PE, rich in bioactive compounds, could contribute, as a supportive therapy, to enhancethe effects of the conventional therapeutic strategies on the management of IBD.