What is it about?
This study evaluates whether a standardized natural extract combining Opuntia ficus‑indica cladodes and Olea europaea leaves (OFI+OE) can protect intestinal epithelial cells from damage caused by the NSAID indomethacin (INDO). Using a Caco‑2 in vitro model, the work assessed epithelial barrier integrity, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammatory signaling. Pre‑treatment with OFI+OE prevented INDO‑induced alterations in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), reduced fluorescein permeability and restored tight‑junction proteins (claudin‑1, occludin). The extract also attenuated oxidative stress, decreased pro‑apoptotic markers (BAX, Caspase‑3), increased Bcl‑2 and inhibited NF‑κB activation, thus limiting downstream inflammatory responses.
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Why is it important?
NSAIDs are widely used but can cause significant intestinal injury, and current protective strategies—such as proton pump inhibitors—do not prevent NSAID‑induced enteropathy. Identifying natural compounds capable of preserving epithelial barrier function is therefore of high interest. The OFI+OE extract demonstrated protective effects across multiple pathways—oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory—highlighting its potential as a supportive strategy for preventing or mitigating intestinal mucosal damage associated with NSAID exposure.
Perspectives
The findings support OFI+OE as a promising natural product for maintaining intestinal epithelial integrity during NSAID exposure. However, the study is based on in vitro models, which cannot fully replicate the complexity of the human gastrointestinal environment. Future work using animal models or translational approaches will be important to validate the extract’s efficacy, define the in vivo relevance of the observed pathways and clarify potential synergistic interactions among its bioactive constituents.
Prof. Antonio Speciale
University of Messina
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: In Vitro Protective Effects of a Standardized Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Cladodes and Olea europaea L. Leaves Against Indomethacin-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Cell Injury, Antioxidants, December 2024, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13121507.
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