Hemp-Derived Nanovesicles Protect Leaky Gut and Liver Injury in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis

Abstract

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is used for medicinal purposes owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. We evaluated the protective effect of nanovesicles isolated from hemp plant parts (root, seed, hemp sprout, and leaf) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The particle sizes of root-derived nanovesicles (RNVs), seed-derived nanovesicles (SNVs), hemp sprout-derived nanovesicles (HSNVs), and leaf-derived nanovesicles (LNVs) were within the range of 100–200 nm as measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Acute colitis was induced in C57BL/N mice by 5% DSS in water provided for 7 days. RNVs were administered orally once a day, leading to the recovery of both the small intestine and colon lengths. RNVs, SNVs, and HSNVs restored the tight (ZO-1, claudin-4, occludin) and adherent junctions (E-cadherin and α-tubulin) in DSS-induced small intestine and colon injury. Additionally, RNVs markedly reduced NF-κB activation and oxidative stress proteins in DSS-induced small intestine and colon injury. Tight junction protein expression and epithelial cell permeability were elevated in RNV-, SNV-, and HSNV-treated T84 colon cells exposed to 2% DSS. Interestedly, RNVs, SNVs, HSNVs, and LNVs reduced ALT activity and liver regeneration marker proteins in DSS-induced liver injury. These results showed for the first time that hemp-derived nanovesicles (HNVs) exhibited a protective effect on DSS-induced gut leaky and liver injury through the gut–liver axis by inhibiting oxidative stress marker proteins.

Plum-Derived Exosome-like Nanovesicles Induce Differentiation of Osteoblasts and Reduction of Osteoclast Activation

“…Plant-derived exosomes, such as nanovesicles, also contain similar molecules. Interestingly, these nanovesicles have an advantage of biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them suitable as vehicles for therapeutic delivery, similar to mammalian exosomes [31,32]. Several studies have reported that plant-derived nanovesicles target some types of tissues and are involved in the prevention of inflammation or oxidative stress in various diseases.…”

Curcumin-mediated alleviation of dextran-induced leaky gut in Drosophila melanogaster

“…In addition to those factors, several exogenous chemical substances, one of the examples is dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), can also induce intestinal epithelial damage and simulate the pathophysiology of intestinal inflammation. DSS reduces protein expression at tight junctions, thereby increasing intestinal permeability [5,6]. DSS also Original Article triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further exacerbates intestinal permeability and leaky gut syndrome.…”