Investigation of the pharmacological activity of anthocyanins in experimental models of gastrointestinal disorders: peptic ulcer and intestinal mucositis

Abstract

Peptic ulcer (PU) and intestinal mucositis (IM) are of great clinical relevance among the prevailing gastrointestinal tract (GlT) diseases. The occurrence of the former has increased owingto the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of several chronic illnesses, while the latteris one of the main side effects from the use of chemotherapeutics.In the present project,weaimed to evaluatethe pharmacological potential of two anthocyanins, cyanidin and malvidin, in experimental models that mimic some of the main GIT perturbations that affect humans. For this, in addition to the induction of intestinal mucositis by using the chemotherapeutic agents 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan, acute and chronic modelsof peptic ulcer induced by polypharmacy, ischemia and reperfusion, NSAIDs, and acetic acidwill be developed in rodents. Macroscopic (lesion area), antioxidant-biochemical (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase, and lipid peroxidation), and anti-inflammatory (myeloperoxidase, TNF-±, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-10) parameters will be analyzed, along with the evaluation of possible toxic effects from the continuous use of anthocyanins, through the evaluation of body weight, lethality, macroscopic analysis of the organs, and biochemical analysis of blood and plasma.The results obtained will provide relevant information about the mechanisms of action involved in the pharmacological activity of these anthocyanins, and will contributein thefuture development of these compounds as a therapeutic option in the treatment of various GlT diseases. (AU)