Chemical Composition and Antibacterial and Antiulcerative Colitis Activities of Essential Oil from Pruni Semen

Abstract

This study was sought to investigate the chemical composition and antibacterial and antiulcerative colitis (UC) effects of essential oil from Pruni Semen (PSEO). A GC-MS assay showed that the major compounds in PSEO were products of amygdalin hydrolysis, which possessed great antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential. In vitro antibacterial experiments demonstrated that PSEO treatment inhibited activity of four kinds of intestinal pathogens probably by disrupting the cell wall. Further in vivo studies showed that PSEO administration significantly improved physiological indexes, attenuated histopathological characteristics, and inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results predicted that PSEO might prevent UC via regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were further conducted for verification, and the results evidenced that PSEO intervention significantly regulated the PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of its downstream proteins in DSS-induced mice. PSEO might provide a new dietary strategy for UC treatment.

Amygdalin Alleviates DSS-Induced Colitis by Restricting Cell Death and Inflammatory Response, Maintaining the Intestinal Barrier, and Modulating Intestinal Flora

“…In the present study, levels of colonic COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly elevated in DSS-treated mice compared with those of the control group, while Amy administration markedly lowered the levels of these pro-inflammatory mediators. Surprisingly, a very recent article found that essential oil from Pruni Semen (PSEO), whose main components are products of Amy hydrolysis, had a protective effect against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice, markedly ameliorating the symptoms of colitis, attenuating histopathological damage, and diminishing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 11 ]. This is consistent with the results of the present study and further supports the anti-colitis effect of Amy.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that Mume Fructus and Prunus mume fruit containing Amy exert protective effects against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats [ 10 ]. Moreover, a very recent article showed that essential oil from Pruni Semen (PSEO) has a protective effect against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice and that its active ingredients are mainly products of Amy hydrolysis [ 11 ]. However, the potential role and mechanism of Amy as a monomer in IBD is unknown and deserves further investigation.…”