A sulfated-polysaccharide fraction from seaweed Gracilaria birdiae prevents naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in rats.
Red seaweeds synthesize a great variety of sulfated galactans. Sulfated polysaccharides (PLSs) from seaweed are comprised of substances with pharmaceutical and biomedical potential. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the PLS fraction extracted from the seaweed Gracilaria birdiae in rats with naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (control group-vehicle) or PLS (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg, p.o.) twice daily (at 09:00 and 21:00) for 2 days. After 1 h, naproxen (80 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered. The rats were killed on day two, 4 h after naproxen treatment. The stomachs were promptly excised, opened along the greater curvature, and measured using digital calipers. Furthermore, the guts of the animals were removed, and a 5-cm portion of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) was used for the evaluation of macroscopic scores. Samples of the stomach and the small intestine were used for histological evaluation, morphometric analysis and in assays for glutathione (GSH) levels, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. PLS treatment reduced the macroscopic and microscopic naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the PLS fraction has a protective effect against gastrointestinal damage through mechanisms that involve the inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and lipid peroxidation.
LAFFEX-Laboratory of Experimental Physiopharmacology, Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research-BIOTEC, Federal University of Piauí-CMRV, Parnaíba 64202-020, PI, Brazil.
Renan O
RO
Silva
Ana Paula M
AP
Santana
Nathalia S
NS
Carvalho
Talita S
TS
Bezerra
Camila B
CB
Oliveira
Samara R B
SR
Damasceno
Luciano S
LS
Chaves
Ana Lúcia P
AL
Freitas
Pedro M G
PM
Soares
Marcellus H L P
MH
Souza
André Luiz R
AL
Barbosa
Jand-Venes R
JV
Medeiros
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D044724:Gracilaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009288:Naproxen / Q000633:toxicity; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D011134:Polysaccharides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D009288:Naproxen; D009195:Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione