Baccharis dracunculifolia DC Hydroalcoholic Extract Improves Intestinal and Hippocampal Inflammation and Decreases Behavioral Changes of Colitis Mice

Abstract

The hydroalcoholic extract of B. dracunculifolia (HEBD) and its major compound p-coumaric acid were evaluated against the severity of intestinal inflammation and behavioral changes like depressive and anxious behavior in colitis mice. Colitis was induced in Swiss mice by oral dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration for five days. The mice received vehicle (10 ml/kg), HEBD (3, 30, or 300 mg/kg), or p-coumaric acid (15 mg/kg) orally, once a day for twelve days. Behavioral tests were performed on the 11th and 12th days after the beginning of the treatments. Moreover, the colon, cortex, and hippocampus were collected to analyze oxidative and inflammatory parameters. The treatment with HEBD (300 mg/Kg), but not p-coumaric acid, showed decreased disease activity index (DAI) values compared to the vehicle group and partially preserved the villi architecture and mucin levels. Furthermore, the HEBD increased the antioxidant defenses in the colon and hippocampus and reduced the myeloperoxidase activity and IL-6 levels in the colon from colitis mice. Colitis mice treated with HEBD did not show depressive-like behavior in the tail suspension test. HEBD reduced colon inflammation, while it maintains antioxidant defenses and mucin levels in this tissue. It may reduce neuropsychiatric comorbidities associated with colitis through its antioxidant effects.

Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. (ASTERACEAE)

“…In a recent research conducted by França et al (2022) the hydroalcoholic extract of B. dracunculifolia and isolated p -coumaric acid ( Supplementary Figure S4 ) were used to treat colitis in vivo . Treatment with the extract at 300 mg/kg caused a 39.2% reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) score, prevented weight loss, preserved some histological features, and increased mucin by 318%, evidencing the pharmacological potential of the extract to treat inflammatory bowel disease.…”

“…Treatment with the extract at 300 mg/kg caused a 39.2% reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) score, prevented weight loss, preserved some histological features, and increased mucin by 318%, evidencing the pharmacological potential of the extract to treat inflammatory bowel disease. However, p -coumaric acid alone could not attenuate DAI, suggesting that the intestinal anti-inflammatory effects observed were due to the combination of extract constituents ( França et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Due to the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and neuropsychiatric comorbidities, França et al (2022) also evaluated the neuroprotective action of the hydroalcoholic extract of B. dracunculifolia in mice with colitis. In different tests to measure anxious and depressive behavior, mice with colitis treated with the extract exhibited behavior similar to the healthy animals.…”

“…In different tests to measure anxious and depressive behavior, mice with colitis treated with the extract exhibited behavior similar to the healthy animals. These effects may have resulted from attenuation of central nervous system inflammation due to the preservation of intestinal barrier integrity or the inhibitory effects on inflammatory markers caused by the extract ( França et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Research carried out with B. dracunculifolia indicates biological activities such as anti-inflammatory ( Santos et al, 2010 ; Brandenburg et al, 2020 ; França et al, 2022 ), antiulcerogenic ( Klopell et al, 2007 ; Lemos et al, 2007 ; Massignani et al, 2009 ; Costa et al, 2019 ; Boeing et al, 2021 ), immunomodulatory ( Burgos et al, 2022 ), neuroprotective ( França et al, 2022 ), antioxidant ( Veiga et al, 2017 ; Casagrande et al, 2018 ; Tomazzoli et al, 2021 ; Luchesi et al, 2022 ; Monteiro et al, 2022 ); antimicrobial ( Veiga et al, 2017 ; Casagrande et al, 2018 ; Salazar et al, 2018 ; Cazella et al, 2019 ; Pedrotti et al, 2019 ; Bonin et al, 2020 ; Timbé et al, 2021 ; Barbosa et al, 2022 ; Bernardes et al, 2022 ; Monteiro et al, 2022 ), anti-phytopathogenic ( Luchesi et al, 2022 ), insecticide and acaricide ( Chaaban et al, 2018 ; Cazella et al, 2020 ).…”