Various plants and their products are known to contain “bioactive” ingredients that can alleviate human ailments. These”phytocompounds” often contain restorative biological properties such as anti-cancerous, antioxidant, and anti inflammatory consequences. Thus, understanding how they interact with the body can result in potential treatment plans against important immune disorders.
A group of investigators at Tokyo University of Science, headed by Prof Chiharu Nishiyama, has been working on this for several years, to determine novel active components in functional foods and understand their effects on the body. They identified a polyphenolic compound called “pterostilbene” (PSB) with strong immunosuppressive properties. This chemical is extremely similar to another phytocompound known to have significant medicinal effects, called”resveratrol” (RSV). Dr Takuya Yashiro, corresponding author of the report, explains the idea that prompted their research,”RSV, a polyphenol, has been known to have conspicuous immunomodulatory and anti inflammatory results on animal models of colitis ulcer. Therefore we investigated the possibility of other substances structurally similar to RSV as a new kind of cure for IBD.”
Long-lasting ulcers brought on by chronic inflammation because of an elevated immune reaction in the body. This entails the excessive production of resistant system-related molecules called “cytokines.” Additionally, two types of immune cells,”dendritic cells” (DCs) and”T cells,” are also included: at the start of an immune response, DCs produce inflammatory cytokines and activate T cells to initiate a defense reaction. These processes together form a complex pathway that lead to an “hyper” immune reaction. Thus, to find an effective compound that could suppress the immune system, it was critical to test it on this population of resistant cells.
Of plant-derived compounds on DC-mediated T cell proliferation. Their first research led them to PSB, which showed stronger immunosuppressive activity compared to other candidates. They also demonstrated that PSB treatment inhibits inflammatory cytokine production from DCs by attenuating the DNA-binding action of a crucial transcription factor PU.1. When they further tested PSB in mice with IBD, they discovered that oral consumption of PSB increased symptoms of IBD. Thus, the analysis confirmed that PSB is an extremely promising anti-inflammatory agent to fight IBD. Not only this–it is easily absorbed by the body, which makes it an perfect drug candidate!
During these findings, the scientists also have ushered in new chances for treating not just IBD but also other inflammatory disorders. Dr Yashiro concludes, “For disease prevention, it is important to identify the beneficial components in foods and to understand the underlying mechanism by which immune responses and homeostasis are modulated in body. Our findings showed that PSB possesses a strong immunosuppressive property, paving the way for a new, natural treatment for IBD.”
Related Journal Article: https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202001502R