Modulation of target genes on intestinal inflammation after curative treatment with Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) extract

Pfaffia paniculata is an adaptogen medicinal plant used in Brazilian folk medicine, which presents a wide range of uses as a tonic, invigorating, anti-stress, aphrodisiac and “good for memory”. Thus, considering the definition of adaptogens as an herbal preparations capable of increasing non-specific resistance of the organism to different stressors, we proposed the hypothesis that such compounds are also useful in the control of diseases in which stress is an etiological factor, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Clinical studies suggest that IBD initiation is multifactorial, involving genetic, immune and environment factors. Recently our research group showed the curative effect of the P. paniculata species on intestinal inflammation model. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate modulation of target genes, on intestinal inflammation model induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats, after curative treatment with P. paniculata crude extract. The analysis of gene expression (Hsp70, Heparanase, MAPK1, MAPK3, MAPK6, MAPK9, MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, and NF-κB) in colonic samples was made by RT-qPCR in colon tissue, using β-actin as stable housekeeping gene. Data were analyzed by a one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's Multiple Comparison test (p ≤0.05). The results showed that the extract at a dose of 25 mg/kg was able to significantly decrease the expression of Hsp70; treatment with 50 mg/kg was able to reduce the expression of MAPK3 and increase the MUC4; already the dose of 100 mg/kg increased the expression of MAPK1, MUC3, 4, and decreased MAPK3; finally the dose of 200 mg/kg reduced the expression of MAPK3. In conclusion, the treatment with crude extract from P. paniculata was able to modulate target gene expression in curative model of intestinal inflammation.

Acknowledgements: FAPESP (2011/50847 – 4) and CNPq