Effects of Bidens pilosa L. on the molecular targets in the TNBS-model of intestinal inflammation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two diseases: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Its etiology remains unknown and pharmacological treatment is related to several side effects. Several studies indicate ethnopharmacological usage of medicinal plants for the treatment of inflammation disorders. Among these species, Bidens pilosa L. is outstanding. It is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, considered key compounds with anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this investigation was to analyse the preventive effects of a supercritical CO₂ extract of B. pilosa L. containing a multi-component standardized mixture of phytol, linolenic, plamitic, linoleic and oleic acids (produced by Chemyunion Quimica Ltda) in the model of TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation. Rats orally received B. pilosa extract in doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg for 5 days before colitis induction. Animals were killed 48h after colitis induction and gene expression evaluation of Hsp70, heparanase, NF-κB, MAPK1, MAPK3, MAPK6 and MAPK9, as well as MUC1, MUC2, MUC3 and MUC4 was made by RT-qPCR using β-actin as internal control. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test (p ≤0.05). The results demonstrate that the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg were able to reduce MAPK3, MUC1 and MUC2 gene expression compared with control colitic animals. Besides that, the dose of 25 mg/kg was able to enhance MUC3 and MUC4 gene expression. Hsp70 expression was reduced by 25 and 100 mg/kg doses and heparanase by 50 and 100 mg/kg doses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that B. pilosa was able to modulate target genes in the preventive model of intestinal inflammation and provide a basis for the development of the herbal preparation useful to treat human IBD.

Financial support: FAPESP, CNPq and Chemyunion Quimica Ltda.