Prunus Mahaleb Fruit Extract Prevents Chemically Induced Colitis and Enhances Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism via the Activation of the Nrf2 Path..

Scope: Polyphenols exhibit their antioxidant activity downstream theactivation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2), butthe connection between lipid metabolism and the Nrf2 pathway is stillunknown. Flavonoid-rich concentrated extract fromPrunusmahaleb(mahalebconcentrated fruit extract; MCFE) may act on oxido-reductive homeostasisand hepatic lipid metabolism via Nrf2.Methods & Results: MCFE ability to enhance the activity of Nrf2-mediatedantioxidant/detoxifying enzymes is investigated in liver and colon of BALB/cmice. After a 4-week supplementation, macroscopic, histological, andbiochemical signs of colitis are examined in mouse colon pulsed with 5%(w/v) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Untreated or DSS-supplemented miceare used as negative or positive control. MCFE effect on liver lipid metabolismand its possible link with the Nrf2 pathway is investigated.MCFE intake increases antioxidant defenses in mice colon and itspretreatment blunts pathological signs of colitis, as compared to positivecontrol. In the liver, the increase in antioxidant defenses is associated withenhanced oxidative metabolism and with higher levels of peroxisomeproliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1?)andofhemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), in comparison with negative controls.Conclusion: Cytoprotective and hypolipidemic effect produced by MCFEintake results, at least in part, by the activation of the Nrf2 pathway.