Exploring the dual role of Mangifera indica L. in regulating immune response and pain persistence in inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and immune dysregulation, driven mainly by Th1 and Th17 cells and sustained by pro-inflammatory cyto-chemokines. This inflammatory milieu is associated with visceral pain, a key symptom affecting patient quality of life. Addressing both gut inflammation/immunity and visceral pain is crucial for improving IBD therapy. This study assessed the therapeutic potential of Mangifera indica L. extract (MIE), a mangiferin-rich formulation, in a DNBS-induced colitis model in rats. MIE treatment administered either simultaneously or post-DNBS induction, significantly reduced pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cell infiltration, along with pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL2), though histopathology showed no significant improvements in tissue healing. Additionally, MIE restored microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (acetate and butyrate) in colon and faecal samples. Importantly, MIE alleviated post-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity, reducing the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) to colorectal distension (CRD), after either acute or repeated treatment. These findings suggest that MIE, in the context of nutraceuticals and functional foods, shows promise as a dual-action therapeutic strategy for complementary and/or adjuvant therapy in IBD.
Authors
- Carla Ghelardini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9856-8144)
- Asif Iqbal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3224-3651)
- Adel Abo Mansour (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9163-947X)
- Nunzia Iaccarino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7544-5512)
- Luana Izzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8365-9032)
- Martina Smimmo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9643-7378)
- Clara Ciampi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6455-2723)
- Jenefa Begum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2992-0578)
- Francesco Caso (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8928-2520)
- Antonio Paolillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8502-7186)
- Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8374-4432)
- Karin Vicente Greco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8484-415X)
- Francesco Μaione (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2280-4299)
- Mariarosaria Bucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5502-4315)
- Antonio Randazzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9192-7586)
- Noemi Marigliano
- Elena Lucarini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3459-2660)
- Raffaele Scarpa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5808-6607)
- Francesca Romano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8825-3718)
- Anna Schettino
- Anella Saviano
Institutions
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- University College Birmingham (GB)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- University of Florence (IT)
- University College London (GB)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- University of Birmingham (GB)
- King Khalid University (SA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pharmacological Research
- Published
- 2025-05-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107773
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Mangiferin and Mango Extracts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.76