<i>Cyperus esculentus </i>L. Tubers (Tiger Nuts) Protect Epithelial Barrier Function in Caco-2 Cells Infected by <i>Salmonella </i>Enteritidis and Promote <i>Lactobacillus plantarum </i>Growth

• Main Authors: David Moral-Anter, Joan Campo-Sabariz, Ruth Ferrer, Raquel Martín-Venegas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: paracellular permeability; ZO-1; occludin; TNFα; H₂O₂; bacterial agglutination
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/1/71

<i>Cyperus esculentus</i> L. tubers (tiger nuts) contain different compounds with several intestinal health-promoting properties. Here, we studied the capacity of tiger nuts from Valencia, Spain, to prevent epithelial barrier function disruption induced by <i>Salmonella</i> enteritidis in Caco-2 cell cultures. Paracellular permeability was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and tight junction protein immunolocalization. Moreover, the effect of tiger nuts on<i> S. </i>enteritidis agglutination, oxidative stress, and <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> growth was tested. Compared to controls, tiger nuts partially restored TER in <i>S. </i>enteritidis-infected cultures, an effect confirmed by immunolocalization of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The results also revealed that this protective effect may be associated with the capacity to agglutinate the pathogen, restore TER in TNFα-stimulated cultures, and reduce reactive oxygen species in H₂O₂-stimulated cultures. Moreover, they favor <i>L. plantarum</i> growth. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the tiger nut protects epithelial barrier function by reducing bacterial invasion, along with counteracting TNFα and H₂O₂ effects, thus giving an additional value to this tuber as a potential functional food.