Cashew apple byproduct: Gastroprotective effects of standardized extract

J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Apr 6:269:113744. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113744. Epub 2020 Dec 25.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The incidence of gastric mucosa lesions in the adult population has increased mainly due to the continued use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a tropical tree, cultivated in several countries, whose barks, leaves and pseudofruit (cashew apple) are popularly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, including gastric ulcer.

Aim: Our study evaluated the potential gastroprotective effect of the carotenoid and anacardic acids-enriched aqueous extract (CAE), prepared from cashew apple pomace, in the dose-repeated acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced gastric lesions model in rats.

Material and methods: After randomly distribution into five group (G1 - G5, n = 8 animals/group), male Wistar rats were daily treated with ASA solution (200 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg, G2 - G5) or potable water (Satellite group, G1) during 14 days. From 8th to 14th experimental day, rats in G3 - G5 groups were orally treated with CAE (50, 100 and 500 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg, respectively). Body weight was measured on 0, 7th and 14th day. On the 14th experimental day, all surviving animals were euthanized for macroscopic evaluation of the inner organs and stomach removal. After weighting, each stomach was properly prepared for biochemical analysis [myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), reduced glutathione analysis (GSH), IL-1β, CXCL2/MIP-2, TNF-α and IL-10 levels].

Results: At the most efficient dose (100 mg/kg, p.o.), CAE-treated animals showed a slight improvement in the macroscopic aspect of gastric mucosa associated with significant (p < 0.05) reduced levels of IL-1β, CXCL2/MIP-2, and MPO activity besides increased levels of GSH (partially), and IL-10 in stomach tissues.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the carotenoid and anacardic acids-enriched extract obtained from cashew apple pomace is a promising raw material for the development of herbal medicine and/or functional food supplements for the adjuvant treatment of NSAIDs-induced gastric ulcers.

Keywords: Anacardic acids; Anacardium occidentale L.; Carotenoids; Cashew apple pomaces; Gastric ulcer.

MeSH terms

  • Anacardic Acids / chemistry
  • Anacardic Acids / isolation & purification
  • Anacardic Acids / pharmacology
  • Anacardic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Anacardium / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / toxicity
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspirin / toxicity
  • Carotenoids / chemistry
  • Carotenoids / isolation & purification
  • Carotenoids / pharmacology
  • Carotenoids / therapeutic use
  • Chemokine CXCL2 / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Male
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Stomach Ulcer / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anacardic Acids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Chemokine CXCL2
  • Cxcl2 protein, rat
  • IL1B protein, rat
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Interleukin-10
  • Carotenoids
  • Peroxidase
  • Glutathione
  • Aspirin