Toxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Phenolic-Rich Extract from <i>Nopalea cochenillifera</i> (Cactaceae): A Preclinical Study on the Prevention of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
2023
Emanuella de Aragão Tavares | Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra | Nadja Maria da Costa Melo | Renato Dantas-Medeiros | Elaine Cristine Souza da Silva | Anderson Wilbur Lopes Andrade | Daline Fernandes de Souza Araújo | Valéria Costa da Silva | Ana Caroline Zanatta | Thaís Gomes de Carvalho | Aurigena Antunes de Araújo | Raimundo Fernandes de Araújo-Júnior | Silvana Maria Zucolotto
Phenolic compounds have been scientifically recognized as beneficial to intestinal health. The cactus <i>Nopalea cochenillifera</i>, used as anti-inflammatory in traditional medicine, is a rich source of these bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of <i>N. cochenillifera</i> extract and evaluate its acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect on 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis in rats. The total phenolic content per gram of dry extract was 67.85 mg. Through HPLC-IES-MS<sup>n</sup>, a total of 25 compounds such as saccharides, organic acids, phenolic acids and flavonoids were characterized. The dose of 2000 mg/kg of extract by an oral route showed no signs of toxicity, mortality or significant changes in biochemical and hematological parameters. Regarding intestinal anti-inflammatory effects, animals were treated with three different doses of extract or sulfasalazine. Macroscopic analysis of the colon indicated that the extract decreased the disease activity index. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α decreased, IL-10 increased and MDA and MPO enzyme levels decreased when compared with the control group. In addition, a down-regulation of MAPK1/ERK2 and NF-κB p65 pathway markers in colon tissue was observed. The epithelial integrity was improved according to histopathological and immunohistological analysis. Thus, the extract provided strong preclinical evidence of being effective in maintaining the remission of colitis.
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