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Published on: October 16, 2013
Onion bulb extract reduces colitis severity in mice via modulation of colonic inflammatory pathways and the apoptotic
Maitham A Khajah1, Khaled Y Orabi2, Sana Hawai1
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat, 13110, Kuwait.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
The use of nutraceutical-based products has increased in recent years due to their demonstrated efficacy and their good safety profile. Onion is one of the most commonly used plants in the traditional medicine for the management of various conditions including inflammatory and gastrointestinal diseases. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of onion particularly in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Aim Of The Study:
To test the anti-inflammatory effects of onion bulb extract (OBE) in an IBD mouse model and the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects such as modulation of the expression and/or the activity profile of various pro-inflammatory molecules.
Materials And Methods:
Colitis was induced in mice by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) daily administration for 5 days. Animals were sacrificed, colons were removed and the severity of the inflammation was determined by the gross and histological assessments. The colonic level/activity of various cytokines and chemokines were measured using proteome profiling-based assay, western blotting, and immunofluorescence techniques.
Results:
DSS-induced colitis was significantly reduced by the daily OBE treatment and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, positive control), particularly at 100-200 mg/kg doses, at both the gross and histological levels. OBE was also shown to reduce colonic expression and activity of several pro-inflammatory molecules and signaling pathways, such as mitogen activated protein kinase family, mammalian target of rapamycin, cyclooxygenase-2, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. In addition, OBE reduced the expression of interferon-γ, various C-C and C-X-C chemokines, and molecules involved in the apoptotic machinery such as cytochrome c, caspase-3 and -8, B-cell lymphoma-extra-large and -2.
Conclusions:
OBE showed anti-inflammatory actions in IBD mouse model, which is attributed, in part, to the modulation of the expression and the activity of important pro-inflammatory molecules and signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory response. These data suggest that OBE may be a promising lead in the therapeutic management of IBD.
Insights
Onion bulb extract (OBE) significantly reduced inflammation in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). OBE modulated key pro-inflammatory molecules and pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for IBD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nutraceuticals are increasingly used for their efficacy and safety.
- Onion is a traditional remedy for inflammatory and gastrointestinal diseases.
- The molecular mechanisms of onion's anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of onion bulb extract (OBE) in a mouse model of IBD.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OBE's anti-inflammatory actions, focusing on pro-inflammatory molecules.
Main Methods:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was induced in mice using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).
- Onion bulb extract (OBE) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) were administered daily.
- Colonic inflammation severity was assessed macroscopically and histologically.
- Colonic levels and activity of cytokines, chemokines, and signaling pathways were measured using proteomic assays, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- OBE treatment significantly reduced DSS-induced colitis severity at both gross and histological levels.
- OBE decreased the expression and activity of pro-inflammatory molecules including MAPK, mTOR, COX-2, and TIMPs.
- OBE also reduced colonic expression of interferon-γ, chemokines, and apoptosis-related molecules (cytochrome c, caspases, Bcl-xL, Bcl-2).
Conclusions:
- Onion bulb extract (OBE) demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects in an IBD mouse model.
- These effects are mediated by the modulation of pro-inflammatory molecules and signaling pathways.
- OBE shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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