Comparison of anti-inflammatory activities of an anthocyanin-rich fraction from Portuguese blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and 5-aminosalicylic acid in a TNBS-induced colitis rat model.
Despite the actual therapeutic approaches for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), efficient and secure alternative options remain a research focus. In this context, anthocyanins seem promising natural anti-inflammatory agents, but their action mechanisms and efficacy as compared with established drugs still require more clarification. The main aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory action of a chemically characterized anthocyanin-rich fraction (ARF), obtained from Portuguese blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), with that of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), a first-line drug in IBD, in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis rat model. Such fraction showed a high content and great molecular diversity of anthocyanins, with malvidin-3-galactoside and petunidin-3-arabinoside in the highest concentrations. After daily administration by intragastric infusion for 8 days, ARF, at a molar anthocyanin concentration about 30 times lower than 5-ASA, showed a higher effectiveness in counteracting the intestinal inflammation, as assessed by i) body weight variation and colon damage score, ii) reduction in leukocyte infiltration, iii) increase in antioxidant defenses and iv) by downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colon tissue homogenates. The strong inhibition of COX-2 expression seems to be a crucial anti-inflammatory mechanism common to both ARF and 5-ASA, but the additional higher abilities of anthocyanins to downregulate iNOS and to decrease leukocytes infiltration and to increase antioxidant defenses in colon may account for the much higher anti-inflammatory action of anthocyanins. These data may contribute to the development of a promising natural approach in IBD management.
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.|Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Sónia R
SR
Pereira
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.|Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Rita
R
Pereira
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.
Isabel
I
Figueiredo
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Victor
V
Freitas
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.|Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Teresa C P
TC
Dinis
CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal.|Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Leonor M
LM
Almeida
D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D029798:Blueberry Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D019804:Mesalamine; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C473206:petunidin