Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei A. Weber ex K. Schum. Bly. Ex Rowl) juice on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.
Paloma Oliveira Antonino de AssisGerlane Coelho Bernardo GuerraDaline Fernandes de Souza AraújoLeylliane de Fátima Leal Interaminense de AndradeAurigena Antunes de AraújoRaimundo Fernandes de Araújo JúniorThaís Gomes de CarvalhoMaria de Fátima Vanderlei de SouzaGraciele da Silva Campelo BorgesMarcos Dos Santos LimaFernanda Rodrigues Leite RolimRaphaela Araújo Veloso RodriguesRita de Cássia Ramos do Egypto QueirogaPublished in: Food & function (2019)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by severe mucosal damage in the intestine and a deregulated immune response. Natural products derived from plants that are rich in bioactive compounds are used by many patients with IBD. Xique-xique (Pilosocereus gounellei) is a cactus of the Caatinga family that has been used by the local population for food and medicinal purposes. The intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of xique-xique cladode juice was evaluated in the present study. A dose of 5 mL kg-1 had a protective effect on intestinal inflammation, with an improvement in macroscopic damage, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, in addition to preserving the colonic tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the downregulation of IL-17, NF-κB, and iNOS, and upregulation of SOCs-1, ZO-1, and MUC-2. These protective effects could be attributed to the phenolic compounds as well as the fibers present in xique-xique juice. Further studies are needed before suggesting the use of xique-xique juice as a new alternative for treating IBD.