Work

Plant extracts identified by in vitro high-content screening improve epithelial barrier function and attenuate oxidative and inflammatory stress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Maintaining intestinal barrier integrity is crucial for gastrointestinal health. Bioactive compounds of plant origin can contribute to prevent barrier dysfunction. In this study, we employed a holistic approach to identify plant extracts with barrier improving properties utilizing a broad range of cell lines, epithelial models and assays targeting barrier protection, antioxidant activity, cytokine response and tight junction regulation. Among the 210 plant extracts screened from an in-house library, 5 % increased the transepithelial electrical resistance in MDCK-II cells. Subsequent validation in Caco-2 cells narrowed the number to 6 potent candidates. Among these, Lamium galebdolon , Anthriscus sylvestris and Asparagus officinalis exhibited the strongest barrier improvement through modulating the expression of CLDN1, CLDN3, OCLN and ZO-1. Furthermore, a combination of selected plant extracts delivered enhanced barrier tightness with clear additive effects exceeding those of the single extracts. Beyond this, the botanical mixture exhibited additive antioxidant, superior anti-inflammatory and barrier protective effects also under stress conditions. In conclusion, a tailored combination of selected plant extracts was identified that could be used in nutraceuticals to support gastrointestinal health.

Source: Pharmacological Research - Natural Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100226