Synergistic effects of hydro extract of jujube fruit in combination with Mesalazine (orally) and Asacol (intra-colonic) administration in ameliorating animal model of ulcerative colitis / Efeitos sinérgicos do extrato aquoso da fruta da jujuba em combinação com administração de Mesalazina (via oral) e Asacol (intracolônico) na melhora de colite ulcerativa em modelo animal

ABSTRACT This study was done to investigate the synergistic impacts hydro extract of jujube fruit in combination with Mesalazine (orally) and Asacol (intra-colonic) administration in ameliorating animal model of ulcerative colitis (UC). After the induction of UC and with the development of signs, the treatment groups daily received the hydro extract of jujube fruit (200 mg/kg, orally, enema), Mesalazine (30 mg/kg, orally) and Asacol (10 mg/kg, enema). After 10 days, rats were euthanized and were studied. Findings indicated a significant increase in Myeloperoxidase (161.66 ± 10.40), Nitric oxide (216.01 ± 17.55), IL-6 (138.54 ± 7.02), and TNF-α (123.87 ± 9.80) colon tissue levels and pathological damage of positive control group compared with the negative control group. Hydro extract of jujube fruit in combination with Mesalazine (orally) and Asacol (intra-colonic) group represented a higher capability in significantly decreasing Myeloperoxidase (73.33 ± 9.07), Nitric oxide (81.66 ± 10.50), IL-6 (51.69 ± 5.19), TNF-α (30.59 ± 5.50) levels and pathological damage in compared with the other treatment groups. Considering accessibility and affordability of jujube fruit and the side effects of routine drugs, taking a combination of jujube fruit with low doses of routine pharmaceutical drugs can improve and cure ulcerative colitis disease.

RESUMO Este estudo foi realizado para investigar os impactos sinérgicos do extrato aquoso do fruto da jujuba em combinação com a administração de Mesalazina (por via oral) e Asacol (intracolônico) na melhora do modelo animal de colite ulcerativa. Após a indução da colite ulcerativa e com o desenvolvimento de sinais, os grupos de tratamento receberam diariamente o extrato aquoso do fruto da jujuba (200 mg/kg, via oral, enema), Mesalazina (30 mg/kg, via oral) e Asacol (10 mg/kg, enema). Após 10 dias, os ratos foram eutanasiados e estudados. Os achados indicaram um aumento significativo dos níveis de mieloperoxidase (161,66 ± 10,40), óxido nítrico (216,01 ± 17,55), IL-6 (138,54 ± 7,02) e TNF-α (123,87 ± 9,80) no tecido do cólon e dano patológico do grupo controle positivo comparado com o grupo controle negativo. O extrato aquoso da fruta de jujuba em combinação com Mesalazina (oral) e Asacol (intracolônico) representou maior capacidade de redução significativa dos níveis de mieloperoxidase (73,33 ± 9,07), óxido nítrico (81,66 ± 10,50), IL-6 (51,69 ± 5,19), TNF-α (30,59 ± 5,50) e dano patológico em comparação com os outros grupos de tratamento. Considerando a acessibilidade e disponibilidade do fruto da jujuba e dos efeitos colaterais dos medicamentos de rotina, tomar uma combinação de jujuba com baixas doses de medicamentos farmacêuticos de rotina pode melhorar e curar a colite ulcerativa.

Calcitriol modulates the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on macrophage functions.

OBJECTIVES: Some evidence showed that calcitriol has an important role in regulating growth and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and macrophage is not clear yet. The current study was done to investigate the in vitro effects of calcitriol on the interactions between bone marrow-derived MSCs and rat macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and pulsed with different concentrations of calcitriol (50, 100 and 200 nanomolar) for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Then, mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with macrophages for 4 hr. Finally, macrophages were evaluated for ability to uptake neutral red, phagocytosis activity against opsonized yeast, respiratory burst and viability. RESULTS: Our data showed that bone marrow-derived MSCs pulsed with calcitriol may cause a significant increase in uptake of neutral red and phagocytic activity of opsonized heat killed baker's yeast. Moreover, treatment of MSCs with calcitriol enhanced macrophage viability. Nevertheless, the respiratory burst of macrophages was significantly reduced in macrophages co-cultured with calcitriol-treated MSCs compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Calcitriol may accelerate and potentiate anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization by MSCs.