Optimization of Aqueous Extraction and Biological Activity of Harpagophytum procumbens Root on Ex Vivo Rat Colon Inflammatory Model

Harpagophytum procumbens has a long story of use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Considering both the antiinflammatory effects of H. procumbens in multiple tissues and the stability of harpagoside in artificial intestinal fluid, the aim of the present study was to explore the possible protective role of a microwave‐assisted aqueous Harpagophytum extract (1–1000 μg/mL) on mouse myoblast C2C12 and human colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell lines, and isolated rat colon specimens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a validated ex vivo model of acute ulcerative colitis. In this context, we evaluated the effects on C2C12 and HCT116 viability, and on LPS‐induced production of serotonin (5‐HT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, prostaglandin (PG)E2 and 8‐iso‐prostaglandin (8‐iso‐PG)F2α. Harpagophytum extract was well tolerated by C2C12 cells, while reduced HCT116 colon cancer cell viability. On the other hand, Harpagophytum extract reduced H2O2‐induced (1 mM) reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, in both cell lines, and inhibited LPS‐induced colon production of PGE2, 8‐iso‐PGF2α, 5‐HT and TNFα. Concluding, we demonstrated the efficacy of a microwave‐assisted Harpagophytum aqueous extract in modulating the inflammatory, oxidative stress and immune response in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), thus suggesting a rational use of Harpagophytum in the management and prevention of ulcerative colitis in humans. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.