The herbal extract Iberogast® improves jejunal integrity in rats with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced mucositis

Abstract

There is an acute need for the development of effective therapies for mucositis, a debilitating side effect of cancer chemotherapy. Iberogast ® is a herbal extract reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated Iberogast ® for its potential to reduce the severity of 5-Fluorouracil (FU)-induced mucositis in rats. Rats were allocated to three treatment groups (n = 8) and gavaged daily with a 10% solution of Iberogast ® or water from day 0 to day 8. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 5-FU (150 mg/kg) or saline on day 6, and killed after 72 h. In vivo and in vitro sucrase activity was assessed by 13 C-sucrose breath test (SBT) and sucrase assay respectively. Intestinal disease severity was determined by histological assessment of villus height and crypt depth. Significant increases in villus height (277 ± 9 μm) and crypt depth (67 ± 3 μm) were observed in 5-FU + Iberogast ® -treated rats compared with 5-FU + Water (224 ± 13 μm and 48 ± 2 μm respectively; p < 0.05). Sucrase activity was significantly reduced in all 5-FU groups compared to control. Significant reductions in SBT and sucrase activity were observed in all 5-FU groups compared with Saline + Water controls (p < 0.05). We conclude that although Iberogast ® partially improved the histopathological features of 5-FU induced mucositis, it conferred no significant protection as indicated by the assessed endpoints.

Grape Seed Extract Reduces the Severity of Selected Disease Markers in the Proximal Colon of Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats

“…Although the aetiology of UC is not entirely understood, recent advances in biotechnology have resulted in the development of novel nutraceutical treatment approaches for these diseases, to complement conventional treatments [2]. These 'nutraceutical' therapies include Lyprinol [11], certain probiotics [12], growth factors [13], and plant sourced extracts such as Iberogast TM [14] and more recently, Grape Seed Extract (GSE) [15].…”

Immunohistochemical Study of the Effect of Chamomile Extract on 5-Fluorouracil Induced Intestinal Mucositis in Albino Rats

“…It seems that inhibition of DNA synthesis, DNA damage and the production of reactive oxygen species by chemotherapy impair the metabolism in progenitor cells and cause inhibition of mitosis and increase of apoptosis [1]. Wright et al [32] also found that 5-FU administration results in increased apoptosis and decreased cellularity in the small intestine.…”

Newly Developed Synbiotics and the Chemotherapy-Damaged Gut

“…118 Indeed, recently, Iberogast has been tested for its therapeutic efficacies on 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats. 38 Iberogast improved the histopathological features of mucosa, which were damaged by 5-fluorouracil injection. Villus height and crypt depth were increased significantly in Iberogast-fed rats treated with 5-fluorouracil.…”

“…36 Moreover, recently, probiotic-derived factors have begun to show promise at preventing mucositis in vivo and in vitro. 35,37 In addition, there are now early indications that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents in plant extracts, such as Iberogast 38 and grape seed extract, 39 and animal-sourced oils, such as Lyprinol 40 and Emu oil, 41 could have utility in preventing mucositis.…”