Glyceollins, which are derived from daidzein in soybean in response to various stimuli or stresses, have been reported to activate antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes in a nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-dependent manner, in addition to exerting anti-inflammatory effects in murine macrophages. As the Nrf2 signaling pathway is known to antagonize nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling, glyceollins likely have the potential to prevent or treat inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, this study was conducted to examine whether glyceollins could inhibit dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a mouse model. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was induced in male BALB/c mice by administering drinking water with 4% DSS for 5 days. Glyceollins (4 or 10 mg/kg of body weight) were orally administered 48 h before and after DSS treatment. We found that glyceollins alleviated histological colon damage and inflammation induced by DSS treatment. More specifically, glyceollins reduced plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, which were otherwise markedly increased by DSS treatment. Markers of tissue damage, including malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-guanosine, were significantly increased by DSS treatment; however, this effect was mitigated through concomitant treatment with glyceollins. Furthermore, nuclear accumulation of NF-κB p65 and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase were upregulated by glyceollins, consistent with the observed modulation of inflammatory markers. In conclusion, glyceollins have therapeutic potential for UC and merit further clinical study.
Yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne.) has long been used as a health food and oriental folk medicine because of its nutritional fortification, tonic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and expectorant effects. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to be implicated in a range of diseases, may be important progenitors of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of yam on antioxidant status and inflammatory conditions during azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats. We measured the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), hemolysate antioxidant enzyme activities, colonic mucosal antioxidant enzyme gene expression, and colonic mucosal inflammatory mediator gene expression. The feeding of yam prior to carcinogenesis significantly inhibited AOM-induced colonic ACF formation. In yam-administered rats, erythrocyte levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase were increased and colonic mucosal gene expression of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, and GPx were up-regulated compared to the AOM group. Colonic mucosal gene expression of inflammatory mediators (i.e., nuclear factor kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1beta) was suppressed by the yam-supplemented diet. These results suggest that yam could be very useful for the prevention of colon cancer, as they enhance the antioxidant defense system and modulate inflammatory mediators.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.