The Nutraceutical Properties of Sumac (<i>Rhus coriaria</i> L.) against Gastritis: Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with <i>H. pylori</i>

Abstract

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is a spice and medicinal herb traditionally used in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Since we previously demonstrated Sumac biological activity in a model of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced skin inflammation, the present work is aimed at further demonstrating a potential role in inflammatory disorders, focusing on gastritis. For this purpose, different polar extracts (water-W, ethanol-water-EW, ethanol-E, ethanol macerated-Em, acetone-Ac, ethylacetate-EtA) were investigated in gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) challenged by TNF-α or H. pylori infection. The ethanolic extracts (E, EW, Em) showed the major phenolic contents, correlating with lower half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) on the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8, 50s Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and exhibited a direct antibacterial activity at comparable concentrations (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 100 μg/mL). The phenolic content and the bioactivity of EW were maintained after simulated gastric digestion and were associated with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) impairment, considered the main putative anti-inflammatory mechanism. On the contrary, an anti-urease activity was excluded. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the potential role of Sumac as a nutraceutical useful in H. pylori-related gastritis.

Keywords

• Sumac
• <i>Rhus coriaria</i> L.
• gastritis
• <i>H. pylori</i>
• inflammation
• nutraceuticals