A modified pectic polysaccharide from turmeric (Curcuma longa) with antiulcer effects via anti-secretary, mucoprotective and IL-10 mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Antiulcer potency and inhibitory effects on Helicobacter pylori of structurally defined low molecular weight modified pectin from turmeric (MTrPP) has been previously demonstrated by us. Given that ulcer is a disorder characterized by inflammatory responses leading to initiation, aggravation and perpetuation of disease conditions, the present study aims to understand the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms through which MTrPP delivered antiulcer effects. Rats triggered with early phase gastric inflammation (LPS) followed by ulcer induction (swim-stress) were pretreated with MTrPP (150 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. Inflammation and ulcer-specific markers were screened to assess the protective effects. MTrPP offered up to 91% protection by limiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-8, NF-κB) and by the tight differential regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX-1, 2), mitogen-activated-protein-kinase (p-p38, p-ERK-1/2) and matrix metalloproteinase (pro-MMP-9). MTrPP showed modulatory effects through inhibition of galectin-3, oxidative stress, H+,K+-ATPase and elicitation of gastro-protective mediators such as, mucin, prostaglandin E2, NOx, zinc, IgA etc. Results revealed that MTrPP mediated the overall protection by creating an environment conducive to protection by switching from the inflammatory to anti-inflammatory phase via IL-10 over expression.