Polysaccharides extracted fromRheum tanguticumameliorate radiation-induced enteritis via activation of Nrf2/HO-1

Abstract

Radiation-induced enteritis is a major side effect in cancer patients undergoing abdominopelvic radiotherapy. The Nrf2/HO-1 pathway is a critical endogenous antioxidant stress pathway, but its precise role in radiation-induced enteritis remains to be clarified. Polysaccharides extracted from Rheum tanguticum (RTP) can protect the intestinal cells from radiation-induced damage, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. SD rats and IEC-6 cells were exposed to 12 or 10 Gy X-ray radiation. Rat survival, and histopathological and immunohistochemical profiles were analyzed at different time points. Indicators of oxidative stress and inflammatory response were also assessed. Cell viability, apoptosis and Nrf2/HO-1 expression were evaluated at multiple time points. Significant changes were observed in the physiological and biochemical indexes of rats after radiation, accompanied by significant oxidative stress response. The mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 peaked at 12 h after irradiation, and HO-1 expression peaked at 48 h after irradiation. RTP administration reduced radiation-induced intestinal damage, upregulated Nrf2/HO-1, improved physiological indexes, significantly decreased apoptosis and inflammatory factors, and upregulated HO-1, particularly at 48 h after irradiation. In conclusion, Nrf2 is activated in the early stage of radiation-induced intestinal injury and plays a protective role. RTP significantly ameliorates radiation-induced intestinal injury via the regulation of Nrf2 and its downstream protein HO-1.

Valorization of Polysaccharides From Benincasa hispida: Physicochemical, Moisturizing, and Antioxidant Skincare Properties

“…These findings suggest that the NRF/HO-1 signaling pathway might be important after peroxidative damage of aging. The NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway can be activated by most phytochemical extracts or their derivatives, including polysaccharides (Zhao et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2021). Therefore, our findings suggest that the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway was crucial in the peroxidative protection of BPS against H 2 O 2 injury.…”

Nattokinase attenuates bisphenol A or gamma irradiation-mediated hepatic and neural toxicity by activation of Nrf2 and suppression of inflammatory mediators in rats

“…These results work in with that of Chiang et al ( 2022 ) who observed downregulation of the Nrf2 and HO-1 gene transcription upon intoxication with BPA. Moreover, Zhang et al ( 2021 ) demonstrated that irradiation impedes the protein and gene expression of the Nrf2 and HO-1 via ROS the main mediators of radiation-induced damage, therefore, inducing cell apoptosis and stimulating numerous inflammatory factors.…”

Characterization and Heterologous Expression of UDP-Glucose 4-Epimerase From a Hericium erinaceus Mutant with High Polysaccharide Production

“…The precipitates were washed with distilled water and freeze-dried to obtain dried cell debris. The polysaccharides of yeast cells were extracted and determined according to a previously reported method ( Zhang et al, 2021 ). The β-glucan content of polysaccharides was determined using β-glucan assay kits provided by Megazyme International Ireland Limited (yeast and mushroom).…”

“…Hericium erinaceus , which grows widely in the mountains of eastern Asia, is a valuable fungus for both medicinal and food use and has a long history in the field of medicine in China. Polysaccharides, the main active substance of H. erinaceus , have high biological activity, such as immunomodulation ( Wu et al, 2019 ; Nowak et al, 2020 ), regulation of glucolipid metabolism ( Du et al, 2015 ; Cai et al, 2020 ), hypolipidemia ( Liang et al, 2013 ), anti -tumor properties ( Zeng and Zhu, 2018 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ), anti-fatigue properties ( Liu et al, 2015 ), liver protection, and stomach protection ( Chen et al, 2020 ). They have also been widely used in medicine ( Li et al, 2018 ; Jithendra et al, 2020 ), materials ( Low et al, 2015 ), cosmetics, and other fields.…”