Abstract:
The ameliorating effects of Moringa oleifera seed protein hydrolysate (MSPH) on intestinal mucositis in mice were investigated. Moringa oleifera seed protein was extracted, enzymolized, and freeze-dried to obtain MSPH. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank control (Con) group, the model (Mod) group, and the MSPH treatment group with six mice in each group. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was intraperitoneally injected to induce intestinal mucositis in mice, and MSPH (800 mg/kg•BW) was administered orally for intervention. The weights of the mice were recorded daily. The intestinal histopathology was observed using HE staining, and the villus height/crypt depth was calculated. The concentrations of INF-γ, SIgA, ROS, G-CSF, ET, and D-LA in serum and those of IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, MPO, and TNF-α in the small intestine were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expressions of ZO-1 and occluding in the small intestine were determined using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the mice in the Mod group, the body masses of those in the MSPH group significantly increased (P=0.001 1) in the later stage of the experiment, while their spleen and thymus indices increased by 16.22% and 34.69%, respectively. The villus height/crypt depth increased by 25.88% in the MSPH group. The INF-γ, ROS, G-CSF, ET, and D-LA contents decreased by 16.85%, 17.50%, 14.22%, 8.28%, and 9.27%, respectively, while the SIgA content increased by 23.07% in the MSPH group compared to that in the Mod group. The contents of IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, MPO, and TNF-α decreased by 9.72%, 11.23%, 9.74%, 7.29%, and 5.17%, respectively, while mRNA expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in intestinal tissues increased by 121.64% and 29.35%, respectively, in the MSPH group. Thus, 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis in mice can be ameliorated by MSPH intervention owing to reduction in inflammation, oxidative stress and intestinal permeability.
