4-methylesculetin and Colitis

4-methylesculetin is one of the coumarin derivatives with great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Recent studies have shown that 4-methylesculetin has a promising potentiality to treat inflammatory diseases, especially those related to reactive oxygen species, as inflammatory bowel disease. Based on this, the present study aims to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of 4-methylesculetin in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model. For this purpose, mice received DSS 5% for 5 days followed by 2 days of filtered tap water. Treated groups received orally 5 or 25 mg/kg of 4-methylesculetin daily since the first day. Macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical parameters were evaluated. 4-methylesculetin (25 mg/kg) improved microscopic parameters, decreased MPO activity, reduced the colonic levels of IL-6 and counteracted GSH depletion when compared with DSS-control group. Our results show the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of 4-methylesculetin in DSS model, which is related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This way, 4-methylesculetin, is a new potential compound for treatment of both types of IBD.

Topics: Animals; Colitis; Colon; Coumarins; Dextran Sulfate; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Glutathione; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-6; Male; Mice; Peroxidase; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Umbelliferones

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the 4-methylesculetin with those produced by prednisolone and sulphasalazine and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in its action. Colitis was induced in rat by instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS). The colon damage was evaluated using macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical analysis. In addition, in vitro studies were performed to evaluate cytokine production in cell cultures using the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7, mouse splenocytes and the human colonic epithelial cell line Caco-2. 4-Methylesculetin produced a reduction of the macroscopic damage score and the recovery of the intestinal cytoarchitecture. These effects were associated with a prevention of the GSH depletion and an inhibition in AP activity. After colitis relapse, 4-methylesculetin improved the colonic inflammatory status as evidenced by histological findings, with a reduction in apoptosis, as well as biochemically by inhibition of colonic myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase and metalloproteinase 9 activities. Paired with this inhibitive activity, there was a decrease in malondialdehyde content and in IL-1β levels. In vitro assays revealed that 4-methylesculetin promoted an inhibition in IL-1β, IL-8, IL-2 and IFN-γ production in cell cultures. In conclusion, 4-methylesculetin showed similar efficacy to that obtained with either prednisolone or sulphasalazine, both in the acute phase of colitis as well as following a curative protocol. The intestinal anti-inflammatory activity by 4-methylesculetin is likely related to its ability in reduce colonic oxidative stress and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Line; Colitis; Coumarins; Cytokines; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutathione; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Peroxidase; Prednisolone; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Recurrence; Sulfasalazine; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; Umbelliferones