Slovenian Study Highlights the Benefits of Helichrysum Italicum Infusion for Gut Health

Herbs And Phytochemicals: Researchers from the University of Primorska, Slovenia, have recently uncovered the protective abilities of Helichrysum italicum infusion in defending the intestinal barrier against damage caused by bacterial infections. Their findings suggest that this natural infusion not only safeguards the gut lining but could also offer an effective preventative treatment against harmful bacteria like Salmonella Infantis. The study has drawn attention due to the growing interest in natural remedies and their role in promoting gut health.


Slovenian Study Highlights the Benefits of Helichrysum Italicum Infusion for Gut Health

Understanding the Intestinal Barrier
The intestinal barrier serves as the body’s frontline defense against harmful substances and pathogens. Composed of a single layer of cells, this barrier plays a crucial role in controlling what enters the bloodstream from the gut. However, when the integrity of this barrier is compromised, it can lead to conditions such as infections, chronic inflammation, and diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
 
This Herbs And Phytochemicals news report focuses on a groundbreaking study that sought to investigate how Helichrysum italicum infusion, commonly used in Mediterranean folk medicine, can protect the intestinal barrier from disruption caused by Salmonella Infantis, a bacterium linked to foodborne illnesses.
 
The Power of Helichrysum Italicum
The researchers aimed to determine if Helichrysum italicum infusion (HII) could help prevent or repair damage to the intestinal barrier. The study, conducted using Caco-2 cells (a well-established model for intestinal permeability), examined how the infusion impacted the cells’ integrity when exposed to Salmonella Infantis. This is significant because the bacterium is known to weaken the gut lining, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, leading to a systemic inflammatory response.
 
The research team, consisting of Katja Kramberger, Katja Bezek Kranjc, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Darja Barlič-Maganja, and Saša Kenig from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Primorska, employed three different approaches to test the effectiveness of the infusion: pre-treatment, co-treatment, and post-treatment of the intestinal cells with HII. Each scenario simulated a different stage of bacterial infection or inflammation to assess how the infusion could act as a protective or healing agent.
 
Key Findings from the Study
The researchers found that Helichrysum italicum infusion had significant benefits in protecting and restoring the integrity of the intestinal barrier, especially in the pre-treatment scenario. Here are some key findings from the study:
 
-Prevention of Barrier Disruption: When the intestinal cells were pre-treated with HII, there was a notable improvement in the cells’ resistance t o Salmonella-induced damage. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, which are used to gauge cell layer integrity, showed that pre-treated cells had a much smaller decrease in resistance after being exposed to the bacteria, suggesting that HII helped maintain the barrier.
 
-Repair of Damaged Cells: In the post-treatment group, where the cells were treated with HII after exposure to the bacteria, the infusion promoted the repair of the barrier. TEER values increased, indicating that the infusion aided in the recovery of the gut lining.
 
-Reduction of Inflammatory Markers: One of the most remarkable findings of the study was the ability of HII to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These molecules are responsible for promoting inflammation and are commonly upregulated when the intestinal barrier is compromised. The infusion helped bring these levels down, especially in the pre-treatment and co-treatment groups.
 
-Regulation of Tight Junction Proteins: Tight junction proteins (TJPs) are critical for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The study showed that HII helped regulate the expression of key TJPs such as occludin, claudin-1, and claudin-2. Pre-treatment with HII resulted in the upregulation of protective TJPs like claudin-1, while it reduced the expression of claudin-2, which is associated with increased gut permeability.
 
-Prevention of Bacterial Translocation: While HII did not prevent Salmonella from adhering to or invading the cells, it significantly reduced bacterial translocation across the intestinal barrier. In the pre-treatment group, bacterial translocation was reduced by 85%, and in the co-treatment group (where the cells were treated with HII both before and during infection), translocation was completely prevented.
 
How Does HII Work?
The researchers believe that Helichrysum italicum infusion’s protective effects stem from its rich composition of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help mitigate the damage caused by bacterial infections and promote the healing of the intestinal lining.
 
Additionally, the infusion’s ability to modulate the expression of tight junction proteins and reduce inflammatory responses suggests that it could play a role in both preventing and treating conditions associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction. The infusion’s effect on reducing inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 highlights its potential to alleviate chronic inflammation, which is a common feature of diseases like IBD and IBS.
 
Practical Implications and Future Research
The findings of this study are promising for the development of natural therapies to support gut health, particularly for individuals suffering from conditions that weaken the intestinal barrier. The fact that the infusion was most effective when used as a preventative measure suggests that incorporating Helichrysum italicum into the diet could help maintain gut integrity and prevent the onset of inflammation-related diseases.
 
However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind HII’s protective effects. Future studies should explore how different dosages and durations of treatment affect the gut barrier, as well as whether the infusion can be combined with other therapies for enhanced protection.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study conducted by the team from the University of Primorska demonstrates that Helichrysum italicum infusion has significant potential as a natural remedy for protecting the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation. Its ability to modulate tight junction proteins, reduce inflammatory markers, and prevent bacterial translocation makes it a valuable tool for gut health, particularly for individuals at risk of gut-related diseases.
 
The findings provide a foundation for future research into how this natural infusion can be used in clinical settings to prevent or treat conditions like IBD, IBS, and bacterial infections. As more is learned about the benefits of Helichrysum italicum, it may become an important addition to strategies aimed at improving gut health and overall well-being.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Pharmaceuticals.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/10/1398
 
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