Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by severe mucosal damage in the intestine and a deregulated immune response. Natural products derived from plants that are rich in bioactive compounds are used by many patients with IBD. Xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) is a cactus of the Caatinga family that has been used by the local population for food and medicinal purposes. The intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of xique-xique cladode juice was evaluated in the present study. A dose of 5 mL kg-1 had a protective effect on intestinal inflammation, with an improvement in macroscopic damage, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, in addition to preserving the colonic tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the downregulation of IL-17, NF-κB, and iNOS, and upregulation of SOCs-1, ZO-1, and MUC-2. These protective effects could be attributed to the phenolic compounds as well as the fibers present in xique-xique juice. Further studies are needed before suggesting the use of xique-xique juice as a new alternative for treating IBD.
Cactaceae/chemistry , Colitis/chemically induced , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Acetic Acid , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Colitis/drug therapy , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Mucin-2/genetics , Mucin-2/metabolism , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sulfasalazine/therapeutic use , Zonula Occludens-1 Protein/genetics , Zonula Occludens-1 Protein/metabolism
