Biochemical investigation and gene expression analysis of the immunostimulatory functions of an edible Salacia extract in rat small intestine

• Published in: BioFactors (Oxford) Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 31 - 39
• Main Authors: Oda, Yuriko, Ueda, Fumitaka, Kamei, Asuka, Kakinuma, Chihaya, Abe, Keiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology; Animals; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Cluster Analysis; DNA microarray; Down-Regulation; Feces - microbiology; Gene Expression Profiling; Ileum - drug effects; Ileum - immunology; Ileum - microbiology; intestinal bacterial flora; intestinal immunity; Intestinal Mucosa - drug effects; Intestinal Mucosa - immunology; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Male; Organ Size - drug effects; Plant Bark - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Roots - chemistry; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Salacia; Salacia - chemistry; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0951-6433; 1872-8081
• DOI: 10.1002/biof.132

Roots and bark from plants belonging to genus Salacia of the family Hippocrateaceae (Salacia reticulata, Salacia oblonga, etc.) have been used for traditional Ayurvedic medicine, particularly for the treatment of diabetes. In our study, we evaluated the gene expression profiles in the small intestinal epithelium of rats that were given a Salacia plant extract to gain insight into its effects on the small intestine. In detail, DNA microarray analysis was performed to evaluate the gene expression profiles in the rat ileal epithelium. The intestinal bacterial flora was also studied using T‐RFLP (Nagashima method) in these rats. Expressions of many immune‐related genes, especially Th1‐related genes associated with cell‐mediated immunity, were found to increase in the small intestinal epithelium and the intestinal bacterial flora became similar to those in the case with Salacia plant extract administration. Our study thus revealed that Salacia plant extract exerts bioregulatory functions by boosting intestinal immunity.