Rheum ribes extract-loaded nanoliposome as a novel phytogenic antibiotic-alternative in mice challenged by E. coli (O157: H7).

This study was performed to compare the non-capsulated with nanoliposome-encapsulated phenolic rich fraction (PRF) obtained from Rheum ribes as a dietary additive and to assess their health-promoting potentials in the mice infected by enteropathogenic E. coli (O157: H7). Upon fractionation, the ethyl acetate fraction with 46.9±2.17 mg GAE/g DW was found as a highest phenolic content. The PRF successfully loaded into nanoliposome structure with a nanometer in size (193.2 nm) and spherical shape and homogeneous dispersion. The gallic acid, salicylic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, ferulic acid are bioactive phenolics present in the nanoliposome-loaded PRF however the main bioactive compounds are cinnamic acid (911 μg/g DW) and ellagic acid (826 μg/g DW). The infection caused by E. coil impaired the weight gain and food intake, liver function, morpho structural characteristics of jejunum, up-regulated the expression of inflammatory genes (Cox2, iNOS), down-regulation of antioxidant-related genes (SOD, GPX), and increased the ileal population of E. coil. The addition of nonencapsulated PRF and nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF at the concentration of 10 mg TPC/kg BW/day improved these parameters although the nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF revealed more potential as compared to nonencapsulated PRF in improving the health parameters in mice. The higher health-promoting activity of nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF could be associated with its enhanced intestinal absorption, bioavailability, bio accessibility and bioactivity. Consequently, the nanoliposome-encapsulated PRF could be considered as a promising phytobiotic against E. coil infection in mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.