Fermented herbal formula KIOM-MA-128 protects against acute colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate in mice

The antioxidant strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AS21 and Clostridium butyricum ameliorate DSS-induced colitis in mice by remodeling the assembly of intestinal microbiota and improving gut functions

Probiotics are known for their beneficial effects on improving intestinal function by alleviating the gut microbial diversity. However, the influences of antioxidant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and anti-inflammatory Clostridium butyricum (CB) on ameliorating enteritis remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the antioxidant strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AS21 and CB alone, or in combination on intestinal microbiota, barrier function, oxidative stress and inflammation in mice with DSS-induced colitis. All probiotic treatments relieved the pathological development of colitis by improving the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and the length of the colon. The probiotics also suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress by improving gut short-chain fatty acids and inhibiting the p38-MAPK/NF-κB pathway in colon tissues. According to the meta-network analysis, three distinct modules containing sensitive OTUs of the gut bacterial community specific to the control, DSS and DSS + probiotics groups were observed, and unlike the other two modules, Lachnospiraceae and Clostridia dominated the sensitive OTUs in the DSS + probiotics group. In addition, administration of the present probiotics particularly increased antioxidant and anti-inflammatory microbes Muribaculaceae, Bifidobacterium, Prevotellaceae and Alloprevotella. Furthermore, combined probiotic strain treatment showed a more stable anti-colitis effect than a single probiotic strain. Collectively, the present probiotics exhibited protective effects against colitis by suppressing the inflammation and oxidative damage in the colon, improving the gut microbiota and their functions, and consequently preventing the gut leak. The results indicate that the combination of the antioxidant properties of LAB and the anti-inflammatory properties of CB as nutritional intervention and adjuvant therapy could be an effective strategy to prevent and alleviate colitis.

Effect of the Combination of Clostridium butyricum and Mycelium of Phellinus igniarius on Intestinal Microbiota and Serum Metabolites in DSS-Induced Colitis

Clostridium butyricum (CB) and Phellinus igniarius (PI) have anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, anti-tumor, and other functions. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of CB and mycelium of PI (MPI) alone and in combination on colitis mice induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Mice were randomly assigned to five groups: (1) control (CTRL), (2) DSS, (3) CB, (4) MPI, and (5) CB + MPI (CON). The weight of the mice was recorded daily during the experiment, and the length of the colon was measured on the last day of the experiment. The colons were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, colon contents were collected for intestinal flora analysis, and serum was collected for metabolite analysis. The results showed that compared with the DSS group, CB, MPI, and CON treatments inhibited the weight loss and colon length shortening caused by DSS, significantly increased the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and superoxide dismutase, and significantly decreased the concentrations of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and myeloperoxidase. Gene sequence analysis of 16S rRNA showed that CB, MPI, and CON treatments changed the composition and structure of intestinal microorganisms. Metabolome results showed that CB, MPI, and CON treatments changed serum metabolites in DSS-treated mice, including dodecenoylcarnitine, L-urobilinogen, and citric acid. In conclusion, CB, MPI, and CON treatments alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating intestinal flora and metabolites, with the CON group having the best effect.

2'-Fucosyllactose and 3-Fucosyllactose Alleviates Interleukin-6-Induced Barrier Dysfunction and Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Modulating the Intestinal Microbiome

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with relapsing and remitting patterns, and it is caused by varied factors, such as the intestinal inflammation extent and duration. We examined the preventative effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) on epithelial barrier integrity and intestinal inflammation in an interleukin (IL)-6-induced cell model and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute mouse colitis model. HMOs including 2'-fucosyllactose (FL) and 3-FL and positive controls including fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and 5-acetylsalicylic acid (5-ASA) were orally administrated once per day to C57BL/6J mice with colitis induced by 5% DSS in the administered drinking water. 2'-FL and 3-FL did not affect the cell viability in Caco-2 cells. Meanwhile, these agents reversed IL-6-reduced intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, 2'-FL and 3-FL reversed the body weight loss and the remarkably short colon lengths in DSS-induced acute colitis mice. Moreover, 2'-FL and 3-FL obviously protected the decreasing expression of zonula occluden-1 and occludin in colon tissue relative to the findings in the DSS-treated control group. 2'-FL and 3-FL significantly reduced IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in serum relative to the control findings. The summary of these results shows that HMOs prevent colitis mainly by enhancing intestinal barrier function and advancing anti-inflammatory responses. Therefore, HMOs might suppress inflammatory responses and represent candidate treatments for IBD that protect intestinal integrity.

Holism of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for inflammatory bowel disease: A review based on clinical evidence and experimental research

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease that causes a heavy burden and lacks effective treatments. Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions (CHMPs), which are characterized by a synergistic usage of herbs, are widely used in the management of IBD. The molecular mechanisms of action of CHMP are still ambiguous as the canonical "one-compound-one-target" approach has difficulty describing the dynamic bioreactions among CHMP objects. It seems more flexible to define the holism of CHMP for IBD by employing high-throughput analysis. However, studies that discuss the development of CHMP in treating IBD in a holistic view are still lacking.

PURPOSE

This review appraised preclinical and clinical research to fully describe the anti-IBD capacity of CHMPs and discussed CHMPs' holistic characteristics that can contribute to better management of IBD.

METHODS & RESULTS

We screened clinical and preclinical references of CHMP being used as treatments for IBD. We discussed the complexity of IBD and the development of CHMP to present the sophistication of CHMP treatments. To describe the clinical effectiveness of CHMPs against IBD, we performed an umbrella review of CHMP-associated META analyses, in which 1174 records were filtered down to 12 references. Then, we discussed 14 kinds of CHMPs that had a long history of use and analyzed their mechanisms of action. Representative herbs were employed to provide a subordinate explanation for the whole prescription. As holism is the dominant characteristic of CHMPs, we explored applications of CHMPs for IBD with the help of omics, gut microbiome, and network pharmacology, which are potential approaches to a dynamic figure of bioactions of CHMPs.

CONCLUSION

This review is the first to discuss the potential of CHMPs to manage IBD in a holistic context and will provide inspiring explanations for CHMP applications for further product transformation and application to other diseases.

Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Sulfate Ulva Polysaccharide and its Protective Effect against IBD in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been gradually considered a public health challenge worldwide. Sulfated polysaccharides, extracted from seaweed, have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the disease. In this study, LMW-ulvan, a unique sulfate Ulva polysaccharide with low molecular weight, was prepared using the enzymatic method. The structural characterization of LMW-ulvan and its protective effect on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were studied. The results showed that LMW-ulvan with molecular weight of 2.56 kDa consists of 57.23% rhamnose (Rha), 28.76% xylose (Xyl), 7.42% glucuronic acid (GlcA), and 1.77% glucose (Glc). Its backbone contains (1→3,4)-linked Rha, (1→4)-linked Xyl, and (1→4)-linked GlcA with small amounts of (1→4)-linked Rha residues; sulfate substitution was at C-3 of Rha. LMW-ulvan was found to reduce DSS-induced disease activity index, colon shortening, and colonic tissue damage, which were associated with decreased oxidative stresses and inflammation, thus improving the expression of tight junction proteins. These results indicate that LMW-ulvan is able to improve colitis and may be a promising application for IBD.

Effects of Fermented Herbal Tea Residues on the Intestinal Microbiota Characteristics of Holstein Heifers Under Heat Stress

Herbal tea residue (HTR) is a reusable resource with high nutritional value and bioactive substances content, which can be used as a feed additive. In the present study, HTRs were fermented by lactic acid bacteria, and then fed to a total of 90 Holstein heifers, termed as CN, LC, and HC groups. The supplementation improved physiological indices of respiratory frequency and rectal temperature, increased the concentrations of immunoglobulins and antioxidant capacity-related parameters, and reduced the concentrations of heat stress-related parameters and serum hormones. The heifers’ body height increased considerably, while their energy metabolism rates were stimulated in response to fermented HTRs. We also studied the fecal microbial community composition of 8 Holstein heifers in each group, and employed correlation analysis with tested parameters. We found that the bacteria were closely related to characteristics including the energy utilization rate, growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, and fecal SCFA levels of the heifers. Based on our findings, the 5% fermented HTRs replaced corn silage might be advantageous for the heifers’ characteristics under heat stress.

Anti-dermatitic effect of fermented ginseng extract including rich compound K through inhibiting activation of macrophage

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of fermented ginseng extract by Lactobacillus brevis (FGE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated dermatitis in mice. FGE showed better anti-inflammatory activities than ginseng extract on the formation of nitric monooxide, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 within non-cytotoxicity range in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, FGE reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase through inhibiting nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Consistent with in vitro experiments, FGE dose-dependently suppressed ear edema, and formation of TNF-α and IL-6, and it (50 mg/mL) significantly enhanced IL-10 level in ear tissues of TPA-treated mice. In conclusions, FGE has anti-dermatitic activity through inhibiting the activation of macrophages. Such effects of FGE are associated with suppressing nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Therefore, the features of FGE may provide the information for its application for therapy and prevention of dermatitis.

Effects of fermented Chinese herbal medicines on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under heat stress conditions

Heat stress (HS) causes significant economic losses and has become a continual challenge in the dairy industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement on milk performance and immune function in late-lactation cows under HS conditions. The supplement was a fermented Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) mixture consisting of 18 herbs. Forty lactating Holstein cows (560 ± 51.0 kg of initial BW, 230 ± 10.0 DIM, 16 ± 3.0 kg of milk per day) were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups (10 cows per group). Each group was fed a dietary supplemented with 0, 25, 50, or 100 g CHMs per cow per day. Cows were housed at high ambient temperature-humidity index (average 74.5) for an experimental period of 42 d during the summer months. Milk yield, composition, immune responses involving blood lymphocyte apoptosis rate, serum biochemical parameters, and genes expression in lymphocytes were evaluated on days 14, 28, and 42, respectively. Results showed that milk yield, milk fat, and protein content were greater (all P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d CHMs compared with the group without CHMs supplements throughout the experimental period. On the other hand, increasing CHMs dose demonstrated a greater lymphocyte or leukocyte count (P < 0.01). By flow cytometry analysis, early or late apoptosis rate of the lymphocytes was decreased (P < 0.05) by CHMs supplements. The immunity-related biochemistry and genes transcript responses involving cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12), apoptosis (Bak, Mcl-1, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and P53), and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) were investigated. Compared with the unsupplemented group, the serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels, as well as IL-2 mRNA expression, increased (P < 0.05) for 100 g/d. However, the serum IL-1 level tended to decrease (P = 0.08) with increasing CHMs dose, and IL-1 mRNA expression was down-regulated (P = 0.02) by up to 24% for 100 g/d. Additionally, the serum Bax level decreased (P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 level increased (P = 0.01) for 100 g/d. Bax and Bak mRNA expressions were down-regulated (P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression were up-regulated (P < 0.05) for 50 or 100 g/d. The mRNA expressions of P53 and Mcl-1 were not affected by CHMs (P > 0.10). Besides, serum IgG levels were greater (P < 0.01) for 50 or 100 g/d, compared with unsupplemented group. In conclusion, CHMs supplements may improve milk performance and immune function in dairy cows under HS conditions.

Enhanced production of compound K in fermented ginseng extracts by Lactobacillus brevis

The purpose of this study is to establish the best condition and microorganism for preparation of fermented ginseng including rich compound K. When raw ginseng parts were incubated with various microorganisms, there was an increase in compound K at 5 days in all samples fermented by Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) and Lactobacillus plantarum, isolated from kimchi. Especially, ginseng fine roots fermented with L. brevis (FR-B) included higher levels of compound K, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities compared with other products. Conclusionally, these results indicate that the optimum condition for providing rich compound K product in fermented ginseng is ginseng fine roots are fermented with L. brevis for 5 days. Additionally, with FR-B there was greater improvement in physiochemical properties than with other products. Such information may be helpful for the manufacture of fermented ginseng including rich compound K as well as for understanding the biological features of fermented ginseng.