Citrus limon Peel Powder Reduces Intestinal Barrier Defects and Inflammation in a Colitic Murine Experimental Model

Abstract

This study examines the ameliorative effects of lemon (Citrus limon) peel (LP) powder on intestinal inflammation and barrier defects in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice. The whole LP powder was fractionated into methanol (MetOH) extract and its extraction residue (MetOH residue), which were rich in polyphenolic compounds and dietary fibers, respectively. Mice were fed diets containing whole LP powder, MetOH extract, and MetOH residue for 16 d. DSS administration for 9 d induced bodyweight loss, reduced colon length, reduced the colonic expression of tight junction proteins including zonula occludens-1 and -2, and claudin-3 and -7, and upregulated colonic mRNA expression of interleukin 6, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2. Feeding LP powder restored these abnormalities, and the MetOH residue, but not MetOH extract, also showed similar restorations. Feeding LP powder and MetOH residue increased fecal concentrations of acetate and n-butyrate. Taken together, LP powder reduced intestinal damage through the protection of tight junction barriers and suppressed an inflammatory reaction in colitic mice. These results suggest that acetate and n-butyrate produced from the microbial metabolism of dietary fibers in LP powder contributed to reducing colitis.

Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, citrus pectin, and milk-derived exosomes on intestinal barrier integrity and immunity in animals

“…In another study, administration of CPn, its methanol extracts, or methanol residues in the DSS-colitis mice, attenuated the mucosal damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, colon shortening, and gene or protein expression of pro-inflammation cytokines and chemokines ( TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17a, IL-12, MCP-1 or CXCL2 ) [ 129 – 131 ]. As observed earlier, CPn supported the recovery of barrier integrity by improving the goblet cell abundance [ 31 , 129 ] and the expression of different tight junction proteins (ZO-1/-2, OCLN, CLDN-3/-7, or JAM-A) [ 129 , 130 ]. In cats, CPn ameliorated the small intestinal ulceration and lesions commonly caused by the side effects of NSAIDs as the indomethacin [ 132 ].…”

“…Following this, supplementation of citrus pulp in weaned piglets did not alter the intestinal morphology or inflammatory status [ 134 ]. In some of the in vivo trials, CPn administration significantly enhanced the level of the cecum or fecal SCFAs, which could have contributed to the changes observed in intestinal morphology and its immune status [ 129 , 130 , 133 ].…”

Green Extraction Techniques for Obtaining Bioactive Compounds from Mandarin Peel (Citrus unshiu var. Kuno): Phytochemical Analysis and Process Optimization

“…Therefore, the novel scientific studies are focused on the valorization of citrus residue with the primary objective of developing of innovative products enriched with bioactive compounds with the emphasis on the efficient waste utilization [ 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Citrus peels contain high contents of vitamin C, fibers, pectins, essential oils and polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavonoids), having strong potential to be exploited as a value-added products, especially for the purposes of food industry, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Essential oils (EOs) are considered as plant-based natural products comprised of volatile and aromatic compounds widely used in pharmaceuticals, while important commercial application of EOs has been achieved as natural preservatives in food industry [ 16 ].…”

“…Limonene is predominant monoterpene in citrus peel, while in lower concentrations linalool, octanal, citronellal can be detected in natural citrus peel essential oils [ 5 , 17 ]. It is well-known that citrus peels are rich in phenolic components, among which flavonoids are most commonly studied due to their beneficial effects to human health [ 14 , 15 , 17 ]. The most abundant bioflavonoids present in citrus fruits are flavanones, with the predominance of hesperidin with beneficial biological activity exhibiting antioxidant [ 18 ], anti-inflammatory [ 18 , 19 ], neuroprotective [ 20 ], and antitumor effects [ 21 ].…”

Extracts of Waste from Poplar Wood Processing Alleviate Experimental Dextran Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress, Inhibiting the Th1/Th17 Response and Inducing Apoptosis in Inflammatory Lymphocytes

“…It is triggered by excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production, sustained T-cell activation and oxidative stress-induced epithelial mucosal cell death [ 2 ]. Patients with colitis often present with weight loss, internal bleeding, diarrhea, and extensive colonic mucosal and submucosal lesions [ 3 , 4 ]. Most standard treatments for IBD use pharmaceutical agents, such as aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, biologics, or combination therapies proved to have certain harmful side effects [ 5 ].…”