(-)-Fenchone Prevents Cysteamine-Induced Duodenal Ulcers and Accelerates Healing Promoting Re-Epithelialization of Gastric Ulcers in Rats via Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Mechanisms

• Main Authors: Maria Elaine Cristina Araruna (Author), Edvaldo Balbino Alves Júnior (Author), Catarina Alves de Lima Serafim (Author), Matheus Marley Bezerra Pessoa (Author), Michelle Liz de Souza Pessôa (Author), Vitória Pereira Alves (Author), Marcelo Sobral da Silva (Author), Marianna Vieira Sobral (Author), Adriano Francisco Alves (Author), Mayara Karla dos Santos Nunes (Author), Aurigena Antunes Araújo (Author), Leônia Maria Batista (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: (-)-Fenchone is a naturally occurring monoterpene found in the essential oils of <i>Foeniculum vulgare</i> Mill., <i>Thuja occidentalis</i> L., and <i>Peumus boldus</i> Molina. Pharmacological studies have reported its antinociceptive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, and antioxidant activities. Methods: The preventive antiulcer effects of (-)-Fenchone were assessed through oral pretreatment in cysteamine-induced duodenal lesion models. Gastric healing, the underlying mechanisms, and toxicity after repeated doses were evaluated using the acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer rat model with oral treatment administered for 14 days. Results: In the cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer model, fenchone (37.5-300 mg/kg) significantly decreased the ulcer area and prevented lesion formation. In the acetic acid-induced ulcer model, fenchone (150 mg/kg) reduced (<i>p</i> < 0.001) ulcerative injury. These effects were associated with increased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Furthermore, treatment with (-)-Fenchone (150 mg/kg) significantly reduced (<i>p</i> < 0.001) malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB). A 14-day oral toxicity investigation revealed no alterations in heart, liver, spleen, or kidney weight, nor in the biochemical and hematological parameters assessed. (-)-Fenchone protected animals from body weight loss while maintaining feed and water intake. Conclusion: (-)-Fenchone exhibits low toxicity, prevents duodenal ulcers, and enhances gastric healing activities. Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties appear to be involved in its therapeutic effects.

Item Description

10.3390/ph17050641
1424-8247