In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and In Vivo Intestinal Barrier Regulation by <i>Commiphora leptophloeos</i> Bark Extract in 5‐Fluorouracil–Induced Mucositis
This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and in vivo protective effects of the hydroethanolic extract from Commiphora leptophloeos stem bark (HECL) against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis. Despite the extensive traditional use of C. leptophloeos in gastrointestinal disorders, its stem bark extract has not yet been chemically characterized nor systematically investigated in experimental models of chemotherapy-induced intestinal injury. Phytochemical analysis by mass spectrometry identified 21 metabolites, mainly procyanidins and flavonoids. Antimicrobial screening against 90 bacterial strains showed selective inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria at 40-80 µg/mL. In vivo, mucositis was induced in female Swiss mice with 5-FU (450 mg/kg, i.p.). Treatment with HECL (10 mg/kg) significantly preserved villus and crypt architecture (p < 0.05) and reduced IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). HECL also increased MUC-2 expression (p < 0.05), while maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, as indicated by occludin immunostaining. Additionally, the extract modulated oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and acetylcholinesterase activity. Overall, HECL demonstrated bioactive potential with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and protective effects against chemotherapy-induced intestinal injury, supporting its role as a therapeutic adjuvant in intestinal disorders.
Authors
- Ana C. Zanatta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0199-4521)
- Raphael Victor Silva Andrade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4196-4263)
- Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2556-8116)
- Susana Barbosa Ribeiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5209-8239)
- Aurigena Antunes de Araújo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9264-4695)
- Amanda Silveira da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6727-6816)
- Silvana Maria Zucolotto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2768-0793)
- Raimundo Fernandes de Araújo Júnior (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2349-2354)
- Stphannie Jamyla de Araújo Barbosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8774-9254)
- Raphaë͏l Grougnet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1657-2997)
- Rafaela Torres Dantas da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4019-7050)
- Sergio Ortiz
- Maria Laura de Souza Lima
- Renato Dantas‐Medeiros
- Lucas Vinicius Souza de Carvalho
- Gabrielle Marques de Paiva
- Nizyara Costa da Silva
- Rafaela Alcindo Silva de Sousa Fé
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (BR)
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (BR)
- Sorbonne Paris Cité (FR)
- Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux (FR)
- Université de Strasbourg (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Chemistry & Biodiversity
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202503251
- Primary Topic
- Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia para o Controle das Intoxicações por Plantas
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte