A sulfated-polysaccharide fraction from seaweed Gracilaria birdiae prevents naproxen-induced gastrointestinal damage in rats.
Mar Drugs
; 10(12): 2618-33, 2012 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23342384
ABSTRACT
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 0900 and 2100) 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.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Polysaccharides
/
Gracilaria
/
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Mar Drugs
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
FARMACOLOGIA
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil