C-phycocyanin protects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats: Role of HMGB1/NLRP3/NF-κB pathway.

Abstract

Gastric ulcer is a widespread inflammatory disease with high socio-economic burden. C-phycocyanin is one of the active constituents of Spirulina microalgae, and although it is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its protective effects against gastric ulcer have not yet been identified. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that, once secreted extracellularly, initiates several inflammatory reactions, and it is involved in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effects of C-phycocyanin against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer targeting HMGB1/NLRP3/NF-κB pathway. Ulcer induction showed increase in HMGB1 expression through activation of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa p65 (NF-κB p65). Moreover, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were elevated in the ulcer-treated group compared to the normal control group. However, pre-treatment with C-phycocyanin significantly reduced HMGB1 expression via suppression of NLRP3/NF-κB, oxidative markers, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and ulcer index value. These results were consistent with histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination. Thus, C-phycocyanin is a potential therapeutic strategy with anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer.

• Authors: Amany Abdel-Mageed Alzokaky, Eman M Abdelkader, Ahmed M El-Dessouki, Sahar A Khaleel, Nahed A Raslan
• Journal: Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology (Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol) Vol. 127 Issue 4 Pg. 265-277 (Oct 2020) ISSN: 1742-7843 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32306544 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).

Chemical References

• Ager protein, rat
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• HMGB1 Protein
• IL1B protein, rat
• Interleukin-1beta
• NF-kappa B
• NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
• Nlrp3 protein, rat
• Protective Agents
• Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products
• Tlr4 protein, rat
• Toll-Like Receptor 4
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Phycocyanin
• Ethanol
• Peroxidase

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Ethanol (adverse effects)
• Gastric Mucosa (injuries, pathology)
• HMGB1 Protein (metabolism)
• Inflammation (drug therapy)
• Interleukin-1beta (metabolism)
• Male
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein (metabolism)
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Phycocyanin (pharmacology)
• Protective Agents (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (metabolism)
• Stomach Ulcer (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Toll-Like Receptor 4 (metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)