betalains and Inflammation

Evidence demonstrates the pronounced anti-inflammatory activity of a beetroot (Beta vulgaris) dye enriched in betalains obtained using precipitation with ethanol. Herein, we expand upon our previous observations and demonstrate the analgesic and antioxidant effect of betalains. Betalains [10-1000 mg/kg; intraperitoneal route (i.p.)] diminished acetic acid- and PBQ-induced abdominal contortions, and the overt pain-like behaviour induced by complete Freund`s adjuvant (CFA) and formalin (intraplantar; i.pl.) injection. Moreover, betalains (100 mg/kg) administered by various routes [i.p. or subcutaneous (s.c.)] or as a post-treatment reduced carrageenin- or CFA-induced hyperalgesia. Mechanistically, betalains mitigated carrageenin-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, superoxide anion levels, and lipid peroxidation. Betalains also stopped the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and ferric reducing ability produced by carrageenin, as well as upregulated Nrf2 and Ho1 transcript expression in the plantar tissue of mice. Furthermore, betalains showed hydroxyl radical, 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Beta vulgaris; Betalains; Carrageenan; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Hyperalgesia; Inflammation; Interleukin-1beta; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; NF-kappa B; Oxidative Stress; Pain; Superoxides

It has been suggested that some pigments would have antioxidant properties and that their presence in dietary constituents would contribute to reduce the risk of oxidative stress-correlated diseases. Among others, inflammatory response depends on redox status and may implicate oxidative stress. Vascular endothelial cells are a direct target of oxidative stress in inflammation. We have tested the impact of the free radical scavenger and antioxidant properties of betalains from the prickle pear in an in vitro model of endothelial cells. Here we show the capacity of betalains to protect endothelium from cytokine-induced redox state alteration, through ICAM-1 inhibition.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Betalains; Betaxanthins; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Inflammation; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Models, Biological; Opuntia; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Pyridines; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Umbilical Veins