The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tracts of humans, living in symbiosis with the host. Dysbiosis, characterized by an imbalance between the beneficial and opportunistic gut microbiota, is associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), represented by ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; and colorectal cancer (CRC). Dysbiosis can disrupt the mucosal barrier, resulting in perpetuation of inflammation and carcinogenesis. The increase in some specific groups of harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), has been associated with chronic tissue inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory and carcinogenic mediators, increasing the chance of developing CRC, following the inflammation-dysplasia-cancer sequence in IBD patients. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to analyze the correlation between changes in the gut microbiota and the development and maintenance of IBD, CRC, and IBD-associated CRC. Patients with IBD and CRC have shown reduced bacterial diversity and abundance compared to healthy individuals, with enrichment of Firmicute s and Bacteroidetes . Specific bacteria are also associated with the onset and progression of CRC, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum , E. coli , Enterococcus faecalis , Streptococcus gallolyticus , and ETBF. Future research can evaluate the advantages of modulating the gut microbiota as preventive measures in CRC high-risk patients, directly affecting the prognosis of the disease and the quality of life of patients.

Dietary products with prebiotic properties have been used to promote protective effects during inflammatory process. Prebiotics are source of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have been associated with anti-inflammatory effects. Banana (Musa sp. AAA) is rich in resistant starch, which is used by colonic microbiota to SCFAs production. For this, we used the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of intestinal inflammation to evaluate whether intestinal anti-inflammatory effect is related to prebiotic effects. Dietary intervention with green dwarf banana flour (5% or 10%) increased acetate, propionate and butyrate concentration. The protective effects was also evidenced by reduction in extension of lesion, inhibition of myeloperoxidase activity, prevention in glutathione depletion, increased mucin production and mucosal healing. This way, dietary green dwarf banana modulates oxidative stress and colonic production of SCFAs increasing intestinal tissue protection and may be used as a complementary product to prevent or avoid relapse of symptoms in inflammatory bowel diseases.

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AIMTo investigate the effects of Ground Cherry (Physalis angulata L.) standardized supercritical CO2 extract in trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) model of rat intestinal inflammation.METHODSThe animals were divided into groups that received vehicle or P. angulata extract (PACO2) orally at the doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg daily by 5 d before TNBS damage. Protective effects of PACO2 were assessed by macroscopic analysis, biochemical determinations of the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutathione and cytokines (such as INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α), gene expression evaluation (including Hsp70, heparanase, NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinases (Mapk) 1, 3, 6 and 9, and the mucins genes Muc 1, 2, 3 and 4) and histopathological studies using optical, and electronic (transmission and scanning) microscopy.RESULTSPACO2 extract promoted a significant reduction in MPO and ALP activities, reducing oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration. These effects were accompanied by significant reduction of colonic levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 and down-regulation of heparanase, Hsp70, Mapk3, Mapk9, Muc1 and Muc2 genes expression when compared with TNBS-control animals. In addition, protective effects were also evidenced by reduced neutrophil infiltration, recovery of cell architecture and replacement of mucin by histopathological and ultrastructural analysis.CONCLUSIONPhysalis angulata supercritical CO2 extract is an intestinal anti-inflammatory product that modulates oxidative stress, immune response and expression of inflammatory mediators, with potentially utility for treating inflammatory bowel disease.