Polyphenolic Maqui Extract as a Potential Nutraceutical to Treat TNBS-Induced Crohn’s Disease by the Regulation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Abstract

Nutraceuticals include a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been highlighted for their remarkable health benefits. Specially, maqui berries have shown great antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects on some inflammatory diseases. The objectives of the present study were to explore the therapeutic effects of maqui berries on acute-phase inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Balb/c mice were exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) via intracolonic administration. Polyphenolic maqui extract (Ach) was administered orally daily for 4 days after TNBS induction (Curative Group), and for 7 days prior to the TNBS induction until sacrifice (Preventive Group). Our results showed that both preventive and curative Ach administration inhibited body weight loss and colon shortening, and attenuated the macroscopic and microscopic damage signs, as well as significantly reducing transmural inflammation and boosting the recovery of the mucosal architecture and its muco-secretory function. Additionally, Ach promotes macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype and was capable of down-regulating significantly the expression of inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS, and at the same time it regulates the antioxidant Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, this is the first study in which it is demonstrated that the properties of Ach as could be used as a preventive and curative treatment in Crohn’s disease.

Antinociceptive effects of maqui-berry (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz)

“…The antioxidant activity of berry polyphenols has been related to their protective effects against cellular oxidative stress and inflammation (Vega-Galvez et al 2021). The formalin test damages the cells producing radioactive oxygen species by macrophage action and the phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins, present in this berry might reduce the negative effect of formalin due to the scavenging of oxygen-free radicals and the inhibition of oxidative enzymes (Ortiz et al 2020; Romero-Gonz alez et al 2020). Due to this, it can be established that the maqui-berry anthocyanins or their bioactive metabolites could cross the BBB (Andres-Lacueva et al 2005;Agull o, Villaño, et al 2020) and act as antinociceptive, without gastric damage, after oral ingestion.…”

Native Chilean Berries Preservation and In Vitro Studies of a Polyphenol Highly Antioxidant Extract from Maqui as a Potential Agent against Inflammatory Diseases

“…Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz or maqui, endemic from Chile and widely consumed by its inhabitants, is an indigenous plant used as medicine. It contains an exceptional contribution both in concentration and in a variety of polyphenols (anthocyanins and non-anthocyanins) [13], with an extraordinary antioxidant power and a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect [14]. Moreover, Ugni molinae, known as murtilla or murta, is a wild berry native plant occurring in the lowlands of the southern mountains of Chile [15] and it is an interesting berry to be compared to maqui.…”

Synergistic Interaction in the Analgesic-Like Effects of Maqui Berry and Citrus Is Antagonized by Sweeteners

“…Anthocyanins can also modulate the Nrf2 pathway to mitigate oxidative stress or neurodegeneration [ 17 ]. The high content of anthocyanin in maqui berry [ 9 , 18 , 19 ], like the abundant derivative of the delphinidin compound, might influence the antinociceptive activity of this species through the intervention in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways [ 20 ]. Delphinidin and cyanidin, among the major anthocyanidins in berries, are powerful active ingredients that have potential antioxidant activity [ 16 ].…”