Gastroprotective Properties of Cashew Gum, a Complex Heteropolysaccharide of Anacardium occidentale, in Naproxen‐Induced Gastrointestinal Damage in Rats

Abstract

Long-term use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) lesion formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective activity of cashew gum (CG), a complex heteropolysaccharide extracted from Anacardium occidentale on naproxen (NAP)-induced GI damage. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle or CG (1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) twice daily for 2 days; after 1 h, NAP (80 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered. The rats were euthanized on the 2nd day of treatment, 4 h after NAP administration. Stomach lesions were measured using digital calipers. The medial small intestine was used for the evaluation of macroscopic lesion scores. Samples of the stomach and the intestine were used for histological evaluation, and assays for glutathione (GSH), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Additional rats were used to measure gastric mucus and secretion. Pretreatment with CG reduced the macroscopic and microscopic damage induced by NAP. CG significantly attenuated NAP-induced alterations in MPO, GSH, and MDA levels. Furthermore, CG returned adherent mucus levels to normal values. These results suggest that CG has a protective effect against GI damage via mechanisms that involve the inhibition of inflammation and increasing the amount of adherent mucus in mucosa.

Topical protection of mice laryngeal mucosa using the natural product cashew gum

“…Cashew gum is a nontoxic, stable, easily available, biodegradable, and inexpensive substance . Recent studies have demonstrated that the anti‐inflammatory properties and gastrointestinal protective activity of cashew gum is in part associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress . Such pharmacological features may be useful in LPR therapy, because this condition is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress .…”

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that the esophageal mucosa can be topically protected in vitro from the damage produced by the components of gastroesophageal refluxate . Cashew gum, a natural polymer obtained from the resin of a Brazilian northeastern tree ( Anacardium occidentale L.), is a biomacromolecule with adhesive properties and anti‐inflammatory and gastro‐protective characteristics in animal models . Experiments in our lab showed that precoating human esophageal biopsies with cashew gum solution confers protection against acidic solution containing pepsin and bile acids …”

“…11,12 Cashew gum, a natural polymer obtained from the resin of a Brazilian northeastern tree (Anacardium occidentale L.), is a biomacromolecule with adhesive properties and anti-inflammatory and gastro-protective characteristics in animal models. 13,14 Experiments in our lab showed that precoating human esophageal biopsies with cashew gum solution confers protection against acidic solution containing pepsin and bile acids. 15 To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies regarding the effect of any topical protectant solution against the damage caused by refluxate components to the laryngeal mucosa.…”

APLICAÇÕES FARMACOLÓGICAS E TECNOLÓGICAS DA GOMA DO CAJUEIRO (Anacardium occidentale L.) – UM PRODUTO OBTIDO DA FLORA BRASILEIRA

“…Essa aplicação farmacológica sugeriu a possível utilização da GC como uma nova estratégia para tratamento ou prevenção de lesões gastrointestinais induzidas por anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (CARVALHO et al, 2015). D.O.I.…”

“…Além disso, esse polissacarídeo possui muitas propriedades farmacológicas já descritas na literatura, como atividade cicatrizante (SCHIRATO et al, 2006), antibacteriana (QUELEMES et al, 2013), gastroprotetora (CARVALHO et al, 2015) e antidiarreica (ARAÚJO et al, 2015). De acordo com publicações recentes, a GC também possui aplicações tecnológicas na área de nanotecnologia (KUMAR et al, 2014;FORATO et al, 2015).…”