Protective effect of sucrose esters from cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in TNBS-induced colitis

Phytotherapy is an attractive strategy to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that could be especially useful in developing countries. We previously demonstrated the intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of the total ethereal extract from the Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry) calyces in TNBS-induced colitis. This work investigates the therapeutic potential of Peruviose A and B, two sucrose esters that constitute the major metabolites of its calyces. The effect of the Peruvioses A and B mixture on TNBS-induced colitis was studied after 3 (preventive) and 15-days (therapy set-up) of colitis induction in rats. Colonic inflammation was assessed by measuring macroscopic/histologic damage, MPO activity, and biochemical changes. Additionally, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with test compounds to determine the effect on cytokine imbalance in these cells. Peruvioses mixture ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis in acute (preventive) or established (therapeutic) settings. Although 3-day treatment with compounds did not produce a potent effect, it was sufficient to significantly reduce the extent/severity of tissue damage and the microscopic disturbances. Beneficial effects in the therapy set-up were substantially higher and involved the inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes (iNOS, COX-2), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), as well as epithelial regeneration with restoration of goblet cells numbers and expression of MUC-2 and TFF-3. Consistently, LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells produced less NO, PGE2, TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1. These effects might be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results suggest that sucrose esters from P. peruviana calyces, non-edible waste from fruit production, might be useful as an alternative IBD treatment.