Antiulcer and Antioxidant Activity of a Lectin from Mucuna pruriens Seeds on Ethanol- induced Gastropathy: Involvement of Alpha-2 Adrenoceptors and Prostaglandins

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mucuna pruriens (Mp) belongs to Leguminosae family, it is native of tropical regions and used to treat several maladies such as urinary, neurological, and menstruation disorders, constipation, edema, fever, tuberculosis, ulcers, diabetes, arthritis, dysentery, and cardiovascular diseases. Mp seeds are rich in bioactive compounds, for instance, lectins, a heterogeneous group of proteins and glycoproteins with a potential role as therapeutic tools for several conditions, including gastric disorders. This study investigated the acute toxicity, gastroprotective, and antioxidant activities of a lectin from Mucuna pruriens seeds (MpLec) on ethanol-induced gastropathy model in mice. Materials & Methods: Mice received MpLec (5 or 10 mg/kg; i.v.) and were observed for acute toxicity signs; in another experimental series, mice were pre-treated with MpLec (0.001; 0.01 or 0.1 mg/kg, i.v.), ranitidine (80 mg/kg, p.o.), or saline (0.3 mL/30g, i.v.) before ethanol 99.9% (0.2 mL/animal, p.o.), and euthanized 30 min after ethanol challenge. Macroscopic and microscopic gastric aspects, biochemical parameters (tissue hemoglobin levels, iron-induced lipid peroxidation, GSH content, SOD activity, and gastric mucosal PGE2) were measured. Additionally, pharmacological tools (yohimbine, indomethacin, naloxone, L-NAME) were opportunely used to clarify MpLec gastroprotective mechanisms of action. Results: No toxicity signs nor death were observed at acute toxicity tests. MpLec reduced ethanol-induced gastric damage, edema, and hemorrhagic patches formation, as well as decreased lipid peroxidation, SOD activity, and increased GSH content. Yohimbine and indomethacin prevented MpLec effects, suggesting the involvement of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and prostaglandins in the MpLec-mediated effects. Conclusion: MpLec does not present toxicity signs and shows gastroprotective and antioxidant activities via alpha-2 adrenoceptors and prostaglandins in the ethanol-induced gastropathy model.

Intraspecific proteomic profiling and potential biological activities of the honey bee hemolymph

“…Insect lectins have several important roles in immune response, homeostasis and binding for the storage or transport of carbohydrates [40,41]. Lectins may also possess antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities and can be considered as a potential natural bioactive agent [42–46]. The protein bands with molecular weight (□60 kDa) were also found in all the tested PBS and DMSO dissolved extracts.…”

Variation in hemolymph content and properties among three Mediterranean bee species

“…Lectin is a defense protein that can participate in many biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer in arthropods. It can be also considered as natural anticancer agent and contribute in immune actions [47][48][49][50][51][52][53]. CLIPC9 similar bands were observed at ( 37 kDa) in both PBS and DMSO extracts consistent with their detection in the hemolymph of Anopheles gambiae [54].…”

Purification, Partial Characterization, and Evaluation of the Antiulcer Activity of Calotropis procera Leaf Lectin

“…The mucosal layer and epithelium tissues remained intact with minor swelling (Figure 7A ). Both C. procera and C. gigantea are shown to demonstrate potent antioxidant potential [ 42 ] and many plant lectins have also been shown to offer varying degrees of reducing the effect of the oxidation stress [ 43 , 44 ].…”