Anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effects of red algae Gracilaria changii (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) extract

Abstract

BackgroundGracilaria changii (Xia et Abbott) Abbott, Zhang et Xia, a red algae commonly found in the coastal areas of Malaysia is traditionally used for foods and for the treatment of various ailments including inflammation and gastric ailments. The aim of the study was to investigate anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic activities of a mass spectrometry standardized methanolic extract of Gracilaria changii.MethodsMethanolic extract of Gracilaria changii (MeOHGCM6 extract) was prepared and standardized using mass spectrometry (MS). Anti-inflammatory activities of MeOHGCM6 extract were examined by treating U937 cells during its differentiation with 10 μg/ml MeOHGCM6 extract. Tumour necrosis factors-α (TNF-α) response level and TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene expression were monitored and compared to that treated by 10 nM betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug. Gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic activities of MeOHGCM6 extract were examined by feeding rats with MeOHGCM6 extract ranging from 2.5 to 500 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) following induction of gastric lesions. Production of mucus and gastric juice, pH of the gastric juice and non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) levels were determined and compared to that fed by 20 mg/kg b.w. omeprazole (OMP), a known anti-ulcer drug.ResultsMS/MS analysis of the MeOHGCM6 extracts revealed the presence of methyl 10-hydroxyphaeophorbide a and 10-hydroxypheophytin a, known chlorophyll proteins and several unidentified molecules. Treatment with 10 μg/ml MeOHGCM6 extract during differentiation of U937 cells significantly inhibited TNF-α response level and TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression. The inhibitory effect was comparable to that of betamethasone. No cytotoxic effects were recorded for cells treated with the 10 μg/ml MeOHGCM6 extract. Rats fed with MeOHGCM6 extract at 500 mg/kg b.w. showed reduced absolute ethanol-induced gastric lesion sizes by > 99% (p < 0.05). This protective effect was comparable to that conferred by OMP. The pH of the gastric mucus decreased in dose-dependent manner from 5.51 to 3.82 and there was a significant increase in NP-SH concentrations.ConclusionsResults from the study, suggest that the mass spectrometry standardized methanolic extract of Gracillaria changii possesses anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic properties. Further examination of the active constituent of the extract and its mechanism of action is warranted in the future.

Feasibility of Using Seaweed (Gracilaria coronopifolia) Synbiotic as a Bioactive Material for Intestinal Health

“…Thus, G. coronopifolia synbiotics efficiently reduced IL-8 production induced by TNF-α, diminishing the inflammatory response, and thereby preventing an intestinal cell inflammatory response. The results agree with treatment with 10 µg/mL methanolic extract of red seaweed, G. changii during differentiation of U937 cells, which intensely inhibited the TNF-α response level [39]. Many diseases are due to inflammation.…”

Algae as production systems of bioactive compounds

“…It was suggested that spray drying might reduce the ferment ability of the extract in the ileum [78]. Shu et al (2013) confirmed that methanolic extract from red algae Gracilaria changii had anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and antiulcerogenic effects on rats [79]. In the work by Hassan et al (2013), sulfated polysaccharides extracted in hot water from green alga Ulva lactuca were orally gavaged to rats fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet for 21 days.…”

“…Shu et al. (2013) confirmed that methanolic extract from red algae Gracilaria changii had anti‐inflammatory, gastroprotective, and antiulcerogenic effects on rats . In the work by Hassan et al.…”

Marine Alkaloids with Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

“…Treatment of HCV-infected cells with this extract was able to inhibit COX-2 activity and PGE 2 synthesis, as well as NF-κB p65 translocation to the cell nucleus and TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS gene expression. On the other hand, a Gracilaria changii methanolic extract reduced TNF-α levels and TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression in PMA-stimulated U937 cells [105]. An azocinyl morpholinone alkaloid (42) extracted from Gracilaria opuntia showed anti-inflammatory activity in a murine model of carrageenan-induced paw edema, reducing edema formation by 6 h and exhibiting a selective inhibitory effect on COX-2 and 5-LOX activity [106].…”