Diallyl Trisulfide, A Major Bioactive Constituent Of The Garlic, Promotes Colonic Mucosal Healing In Ulcerative Colitis Through Accelerating Focal Adhesion Assembly And Consequent Epithelial Cell Migration Via The Rab21-Integrin Β1-Fak Pathway

Natural approaches for the management of ulcerative colitis: evidence of preclinical and clinical investigations

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation in the mucosal lining of the lower part of the large intestine. Conventional treatment options such as salicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants often come with severe side effects, limited bioavailability, and the development of drug resistance, which hampers their therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, it is imperative to explore natural strategies as safe and alternative treatments for UC. Currently, around 40% of UC patients find relief through natural constituents, which can help reduce toxic side effects and maintain clinical remission. This review aims to provide a summary of both preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of various natural substances in the prophylaxis of UC. These natural options include plant extracts, essential oils, nutraceuticals, and phytochemicals. Furthermore, we will delve into the potential mechanisms that underlie the protective and curative actions of these novel herbal agents. In summary, this review will explore the effectiveness of natural remedies for UC, shedding light on their preclinical and clinical findings and the mechanisms behind their therapeutic actions. These alternatives offer hope for improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects for individuals suffering from this challenging autoimmune condition.

Arctigenin promotes mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis through facilitating focal adhesion assembly and colonic epithelial cell migration via targeting focal adhesion kinase

Colonic mucosal defect constitutes the major reason of recurrence and deterioration of ulcerative colitis (UC), and mucosal healing has become the therapeutic endpoint of UC. Unfortunately, specific promoter of mucosal healing is still absent. Our previous researches demonstrated that arctigenin could alleviate colitis symptoms in mice, but whether it has a positive impact on colonic mucosal healing remains unclear. This study explores whether and how arctigenin promotes mucosal healing. Orally administered arctigenin was shown to alleviate colitis in mice primarily by enhancing mucosal healing. In vitro, arctigenin was shown to promote the wound healing by accelerating colonic epithelial cell migration but not proliferation. Acceleration of the focal adhesion turnover, especially assembly, is crucial for arctigenin promoting the cell migration. Arctigenin was able to activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in colonic epithelial cells through directly binding with Tyr251 site of FAK, as evidenced by surface plasmon resonance assay and site-directed mutagenesis experiment. In the colonic epithelial cells of UC patients and colitis mice, FAK activation was significantly down-regulated compared with the controls. Arctigenin promoted colonic epithelial cell migration and mucosal healing in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice dependent on activating FAK, as confirmed by combined use with FAK inhibitor. In summary, arctigenin can directly promote mucosal healing in colitis mice through facilitating focal adhesion turnover, especially assembly, and consequent migration of epithelial cells via targeting FAK. Arctigenin may be developed as a mucosal healing promoter, and FAK is a potential therapeutic target for UC and other mucosal defect-related diseases.