Myrrh Exerts Barrier-stabilising and -protective Effects in HT-29/B6 and Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Overview

Journal Int J Colorectal Dis

Specialties Gastroenterology
General Surgery

Date 2016 Dec 17

PMID 27981377

Citations 13

Authors

Rita Rosenthal

Julia Luettig

Nina A Hering

Susanne M Krug

Uwe Albrecht

Michael Fromm

Jorg-Dieter Schulzke

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Myrrh, the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora molmol, is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In different animal models, it protected against DSS-, TNBS- and oxazolone-induced colitis. To date, no information concerning the effect of myrrh on barrier properties are available. Thus, this study investigates the effect of myrrh on paracellular barrier function in the absence or presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα.

Methods: Monolayers of human colon cell lines HT-29/B6 and Caco-2 were incubated with myrrh under control conditions or after challenge with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Barrier function was analysed by electrophysiological and permeability measurements, Western blotting, immunostaining in combination with confocal microscopy, and freeze-fracture electron microscopy.

Results: In Caco-2 cells, myrrh induced an increase in transepithelial resistance (TER) which was associated with downregulation of the channel-forming tight junction (TJ) protein claudin-2 via inhibition of the PI3 kinase signalling pathway. In HT-29/B6 cells, myrrh had no effect on barrier properties under basic conditions, but protected against barrier damage induced by TNFα, as indicated by a decrease in TER and an increase in fluorescein permeability. The TNFα effect was associated with a redistribution of the sealing TJ protein claudin-1, an increase in the expression of claudin-2 and a change in TJ ultrastructure. Most importantly, all TNFα effects were inhibited by myrrh. The effect of myrrh on claudin-2 expression in this cell line was mediated via inhibition of the STAT6 pathway.

Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that myrrh exerts barrier-stabilising and TNFα-antagonising effects in human intestinal epithelial cell models via inhibition of PI3K and STAT6 signalling. This suggests therapeutic application of myrrh in intestinal diseases associated with barrier defects and inflammation.

Citing Articles

Myrrh protects against IL-13-induced epithelial barrier breakdown in HT-29/B6 cells.

Hader H, Hering N, Schulzke J, Bucker R, Rosenthal R Front Pharmacol. 2023; 14:1301800.

PMID: 38044939 PMC: 10691275. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1301800.

Xue-Jie-San restricts ferroptosis in Crohn's disease via inhibiting FGL1/NF-κB/STAT3 positive feedback loop.

Gao Y, Zhang Z, Du J, Yang X, Wang X, Wen K Front Pharmacol. 2023; 14:1148770.

PMID: 37153794 PMC: 10154545. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1148770.

Myrrh and Chamomile Flower Extract Inhibit Mediator Release from IgE-stimulated Mast-Cell-Like RBL-2H3 Cells.

Altenbernd F, Schwarz L, Lipowicz B, Vissiennon C Plants (Basel). 2022; 11(24).

PMID: 36559534 PMC: 9783512. DOI: 10.3390/plants11243422.

The anti-inflammatory effect of myrrh ethanolic extract in comparison with prednisolone on an autoimmune disease rat model induced by silicate.

ElMosbah D, Khattab M, Emam S, Miniawy H Inflammopharmacology. 2022; 30(6):2537-2546.

PMID: 35930173 PMC: 9700632. DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01042-7.

Resveratrol Prevents -Induced Leaky gut by Restoring Occludin and Claudin-5 in the Paracellular Leak Pathway.

Lobo de Sa F, Heimesaat M, Bereswill S, Nattramilarasu P, Schulzke J, Bucker R Front Pharmacol. 2021; 12:640572.

PMID: 33935732 PMC: 8082453. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.640572.

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