Astragalin Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Acute Experimental Colitis by Alleviating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inhibiting NF-κB Activation in Mice

Narirutin mitigates dextrose sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice by modulating intestinal flora

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prolonged inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Current therapeutic options remain limited, underscoring the imperative to explore novel therapeutic strategies. Narirutin (NR), a flavonoid naturally present in citrus fruits, exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, yet its in vivo efficacy, especially in UC, remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This work examined the effect of NR on dextrose sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice in vivo, with a specific focus on the role of gut flora in it.

METHODS

The effects of NR (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) on DSS-induced UC in mice were investigated by monitoring changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, and histological damage. Colonic levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, tight junction (TJ) proteins, and inflammation-related signaling pathway proteins were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence. The role of gut microbiota in NR against colitis was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, flora clearance assays, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) assays.

RESULTS

NR administration suppressed DSS-induced colitis as reflected in a decrease in body weight loss, DAI score, colon length shortening, and histological score. Furthermore, NR administration preserved the integrity of the DSS-induced intestinal barrier by inhibiting the reduction of TJ proteins (claudin3, occludin, and zonula occludens-1). Moreover, NR administration markedly repressed the activation of the toll-like receptor 4-mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-κB pathway and reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory mediators in the colon. Importantly, the results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the intestinal flora of mice with colitis exhibited richer microbial diversity following NR administration, with elevated abundance of Lactobacillaceae (Lactobacillus) and decreased abundance of Bacteroidaceae (Bacteroides) and Shigella. In addition, the anti-colitis effect of NR almost disappeared after gut flora clearance. Further FMT assay also validated this gut flora-dependent protective mechanism of NR.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that NR is a prospective natural compound for the management of UC by modulating intestinal flora.

Exploiting the beneficial effects of Salvia officinalis L. extracts in human health and assessing their activity as potent functional regulators of food microbiota

Salvia officinalis L. has attracted scientific and industrial interest due to its pharmacological properties. However, its detailed phytochemical profile and its correlation with beneficial effects in the human microbiome and oxidative stress remained elusive. To unveil this, S. officinalis was collected from the region of Epirus and its molecular identity was verified with DNA barcoding. Phytochemical profile for both aqueous and ethanol-based extracts was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 103 phytochemicals were determined. The effect of S. officinalis extracts as functional regulators of food microbiota by stimulating the growth of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains and by suppressing evolution of pathogenic bacteria was verified. Furthermore, we recorded that both extracts exhibited a significant cellular protection against H2O2-induced DNA damage. Finally, both extracts exhibited strong inhibitory effect towards LDL oxidation. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of S. officinalis on its phytochemical components as also its potential impact in human microbiome and oxidative stress.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide remodels colon inflammatory microenvironment and improves gut health

Aim

Disturbed intestinal microbiota has been implicated in the inflammatory microenvironment of the colon, which usually results in ulcerative colitis (UC). Given the limitations of these drugs, it is important to explore alternative means of protecting the gut health from UC. This study aimed to investigate the potential of polysaccharides as beneficial nutrients in the regulation of the gut microbiota, which determines the inflammatory microenvironment of the colon.

Materials and methods

Mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in remodeling the inflammatory microenvironment and improving gut health. Body weight and disease activity indices were monitored daily. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to analyze colon dynamics. The levels of inflammatory indicators and expression of MUC-2, claudin-1, ZO-1, and G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) were determined using assay kits and immunohistochemistry, respectively. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of the intestinal microbiota and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for related bile acids were used.

Results

LBP significantly improved the colonic tissue structure by upregulating MUC-2, claudin-1, and ZO-1 protein expression. The bacterial genus Dubosiella was dominant in healthy mice, but significantly decreased in mice treated with DSS. LBP rehabilitated Dubosiella in the sick guts of DSS mice to a level close to that of healthy mice. The levels of other beneficial bacterial genera Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium were also increased, whereas those of the harmful bacterial genera Turicibacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Faecalibaculum decreased. The activity of beneficial bacteria promoted the bile acids lithocholic and deoxycholic acids in mice with UC, which improved the gut barrier function through the upregulation of TGR5.

Conclusion

The inflammatory microenvironment in the gut is determined by the balance of the gut microbiota. LBP showed great potential as a beneficial nutrient for rehabilitating Dubosiella which is dominant in the gut of healthy mice. Nutrient-related LBP may play an important role in gut health management.

Cucurbitacin E Alleviates Colonic Barrier Function Impairment and Inflammation Response and Improves Microbial Composition on Experimental Colitis Models

Purpose

Cucurbitacins, which are found in a variety of medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits, were known for their diverse pharmacological and biological activities, including anticancer, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Cucurbitacin E, one of the major cucurbitacins, was recently proved to inhibit inflammatory response.

Methods

To explore the therapeutic effects of cucurbitacin E on colitis and the underlying mechanisms, male mice drunk water containing 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to establish colitis model and administrated with cucurbitacin E during and after DSS treatment. The disease activity index was scored and colonic histological damage was observed. Intestinal tight junction and inflammatory response were determined. 16S rRNA and transcriptome sequencing were performed to analyze gut microbiota composition and gene expression, respectively.

Results

We found that cucurbitacin E alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss and impaired colonic morphology. Cucurbitacin E decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis, and maintained barrier function. Additionally, cucurbitacin E retrieved DSS-induced alterations in the bacterial community composition. Furthermore, a variety of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) caused by cucurbitacin E were enriched in several pathways including the NFκB and TNF signaling pathways as well as in Th17 cell differentiation. There was a close relationship between DEGs and bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Muribaculaceae.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that cucurbitacin E may exert protective effects on colitis via modulating inflammatory response, microbiota composition and host gene expression. Our study supports the therapeutic potential of cucurbitacin E in colitis and indicates that gut microbes are potentially therapeutic targets.

Metal-Phenolic Network Directed Coating of Single Probiotic Cell Followed by Photoinitiated Thiol-Ene Click Fortification to Enhance Oral Therapy

Probiotics-based oral therapy has become a promising way to prevent and treat various diseases, while the application of probiotics is primarily restricted by loss of viability due to adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during oral delivery. Layer-by-layer (LbL) single-cell encapsulation approaches are widely employed to improve the bioavailability of probiotics. However, they are generally time- and labor-intensive owing to multistep operation. Herein, a simple yet efficient LbL technique is developed to coat a model probiotic named Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) through polyphenol-Ca2+ network directed allyl-modified gelatin (GelAGE) adsorption followed by cross-linking of GelAGE via photoinitiated thiol-ene click reaction to protect EcN from harsh microenvironments of GI tract. LbL single-cell encapsulation can be performed within 1 h through simple operation. It is revealed that coated EcN exhibits significantly improved viability against acidic gastric fluid and bile salts, and enhanced colonization in the intestinal tract without loss of proliferation capabilities. Furthermore, oral therapy of coated EcN remarkably relieves the pathological symptoms associated with colitis in mice including down-regulating inflammation, repairing epithelial barriers, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and restoring the homeostasis of gut microbiota. This simplified LbL coating strategy has great potential for various probiotics-mediated biomedical and nutraceutical applications.

The Effect of Broccoli Glucoraphanin Supplementation on Ameliorating High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity through the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Interface

SCOPE

Obesity and its metabolic comorbidities pose a major global challenge for public health. Glucoraphanin (GRN) is a natural bioactive compound enriched in broccoli that is known to have potential health benefits against various human chronic diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study investigats the effects of broccoli GRN supplementation on body weight, metabolic parameters, gut microbiome and metabolome associated with obesity. The study is conducted on an obese-related C57BL/6J mouse model through the treatment of normal control diet, high-fat diet (HFD)and GRN-supplemented HFD (HFD-GRN) to determine the metabolic protection of GRN. The results shows that GRN treatment alleviates obesity-related traits leading to improved glucose metabolism in HFD-fed animals. Mechanically, the study noticed that GRN significantly shifts the gut microbial diversity and composition to an eubiosis status. GRN supplement also significantly alters plasma metabolite profiles. Further integrated analysis reveal a complex interaction between the gut microbes and host metabolism that may contribute to GRN-induced beneficial effects against HFD.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that beneficial effects of broccoli GRN on reversing HFD-induced adverse metabolic parameters may be attributed to its impacts on reprogramming microbial community and metabolites. Identification of the mechanistic functions of GRN further warrants it as a dietary candidate for obesity prevention.

Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Restoring the Intestinal Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB Axis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal ailment which cannot be completely cured. The occurrence of UC has been on the rise in recent years, which is highly detrimental to patients. The effectiveness of conventional drug treatment is limited. The long-term usage of these agents can lead to substantial adverse effects. Therefore, the development of a safe and efficient dietary supplement is important for the prevention of UC. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) is one of the main bioactive substances in Echinacea purpurea. EPP has many favorable effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, whether EPP can prevent or alleviate UC is still unclear. This study aims to analyze the effect and mechanism of EPP on UC in mice using a 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg EPP significantly alleviated the shortening of colon length, weight loss, and histopathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Mechanistically, EPP significantly inhibits the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and preserves the intestinal mechanical barrier integrity by enhancing the expression of claudin-1, ZO-1, and occludin and reducing the loss of goblet cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EPP intervention reduced the abundance of Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Klebsiella; the abundance of Lactobacillus increased. The results of nontargeted metabonomics showed that EPP reshaped metabolism. In this study, we clarified the effect of EPP on UC, revealed the potential function of EPP, and supported the use of polysaccharide dietary supplements for UC prevention.

Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Related Mechanisms of Astragalin

Chronic inflammation is a significant contributor to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other illnesses. In the academic field, there is a constant demand for effective methods to alleviate inflammation. Astragalin (AST), a type of flavonoid glycoside that is the primary component in several widely used traditional Chinese anti-inflammatory medications in clinical practice, has garnered attention from numerous experts and scholars. This article focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of AST and conducts research on relevant literature from 2003 to 2023. The findings indicate that AST demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory potential in various models of inflammatory diseases. Specifically, AST is believed to possess inhibitory effects on inflammation-related factors and protein levels in various in vitro cell models, such as macrophages, microglia, and epithelial cells. In vivo studies have shown that AST effectively alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage while also exhibiting potential for treating moderate diseases such as depression and stroke; it also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects on both large and small intestinal epithelial cells. Animal experiments have further demonstrated that AST exerts therapeutic effects on colitis mice. Molecular biology studies have revealed that AST regulates complex signaling networks, including NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT pathways, etc. In conclusion, this review will provide insights and references for the development of AST as an anti-inflammatory agent as well as for related drug development.

Effects of dietary cecropin on growth performance, diarrhea rate and intestinal health of nursery Hainan pigs

Antimicrobial peptides could inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and promote the growth performance in weaned piglets. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with cecropin antimicrobial peptides (CAP) on growth performance, diarrhea rate, intestinal health in nursery Hainan piglets. For this, 120 healthy nursery Hainan male piglets (13.29 ± 0.29 kg, 44 days old) were randomly divided into 5 groups-a control (CON) group (fed a basal diet), an antibiotic control (AC) group (fed a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg colistin sulfate); and 3 experimental groups (provided the basal diet supplemented with 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg CAP). Pre-feeding lasted 7 days and the official period lasted 40 days. The results showed that compared with the CON group, dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg CAP had significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and diarrhea rate were markedly reduced (p < 0.05), serum total protein (TP), albumin, IgA, IgM, and globulin concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.05), where serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and it also increased the villus height and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the jejunum, reduced the serum D-lactic acid concentrations and diamine oxidase activity, and increased the expression level of ZO-1 and occludin in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and Limoslactobacillus in the colon were increased (p < 0.05), whereas that of Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were reduced (p < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CAP could improve the growth performance, reduce the diarrhea rate, improve the serum immunity, intestinal health of nursery pigs.

Effects of inhaled fine particulate matter on the lung injury as well as gut microbiota in broilers

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been widely regarded as an important environmental risk factor that has widely influenced health of both animals and humans. Lung injury is the main cause of PM2.5 affecting respiratory tract health. Gut microbiota participates in the development of lung injury in many pathological processes. However, there is still unknown the specific effects of PM2.5 on the gut-lung axis in broilers. Thus, we conducted a broiler model based on 3-wk-old male Arbor Acres broiler to explore the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that PM2.5 exposure triggered TLR4 signaling pathway and induced the increase of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α expression as well as the decrease of IL-10 expression in the lung. Inhaled PM2.5 exposure significantly altered the gut microbiota diversity and community. Specifically, PM2.5 exposure decreased α diversity and altered β diversity of gut microbiota, and reduced the abundance of DTU089, Oscillospirales, Staphylococcus, and increased the Escherichia-Shigella abundance, leading to the increase of gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Moreover, PM2.5 significantly disrupted the intestinal epithelial barrier by reducing the expression of muc2 and claudin-1 to increase intestinal permeability, which possibly facilitated the LPS translocation into the blood. Spearman analysis revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis was positively related to TLR4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ expression in the lung. In summary, our results showed that PM2.5 exposure induced lung injury by causing inflammation and triggering TLR4 signaling pathway, and also induced gut microbiota dysbiosis resulting in the overproduction of gut-derived LPS. And gut microbiota dysbiosis may be associated with lung injury. The above results provide basis data to comprehend the potential role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the lung injury as well as providing a new regulatory target for alleviating lung injury associated with environmental pollutants.

Bioactives and metabolites of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum root extract alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by targeting the SYK protein in the B cell receptor signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is an endemic Chinese herb with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the effect and mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of T. hemsleyanum root extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) have not yet been fully investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanisms of T. hemsleyanum root extract in DSS-induced UC mice and knockdown cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T. hemsleyanum root extract was obtained and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The therapeutic effects of T. hemsleyanum root extract on DSS-induced UC mice were evaluated by the disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length, serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant/antioxidant levels, and histopathological features of the ileum and colon. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of ileal and colonic tissues were collected by transcriptomics, and signaling pathways were analyzed by the KEGG database. UC-related pathways were uploaded to the STRING database, then the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were determined by Cytoscape, and the enriched genes were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The protein-ligand complexes were docked by AutoDock, and the genes were knocked down in Caco-2 cells by shRNA. The non-targeted metabolomic profiling of ileal contents was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and gut microflora were sequenced by an Illumina MiSeq System.

RESULTS

Ten components that alleviated UC symptoms in mice by decreasing the DAI and serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant levels, promoting intestinal development, and increasing serum antioxidant levels were identified in T. hemsleyanum root extract. T. hemsleyanum root extract activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway in the colon tissue of UC mice, in which two components, rutin and astragaline, bound to the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) protein but also restored gut microflora diversity and increased the proportion of probiotics. Furthermore, metabolites of T. hemsleyanum root extract were involved in vitamin metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The rutin and astragaline components of T. hemsleyanum root extract, by binding to SYK protein, activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway and restored gut microflora diversity to alleviate UC symptoms in mice.

Shengu granules ameliorate ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by the gut-bone-immune axis

Introduction

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a common chronic disease, and the loss of bone density and bone strength after menopause are its main symptoms. Effective treatments for PMOP are still uncertain, but Chinese medicine has some advantages in slowing down bone loss. Shengu granules are often used clinically to treat PMOP. It has been shown to be an effective prescription for the treatment of PMOP, and there is evidence that gut flora may play an important role. However, whether Shengu granules attenuate PMOP by modulating gut flora and related mechanisms remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we mainly examined the bone strength of the femur, the structure of the intestinal microbiota, SCFAs in the feces and the level of FOXP3 cells in the colon. To further learn about the inflammation response, the condition of the mucosa and the level of cytokines in the serum also included in the testing. In addition, to get the information of the protein expression, the protein expression of OPG and RANKL in the femur and the protein expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in the colon were taken into account.

Results

The osteoporosis was significantly improved in the SG group compared with the OVX group, and the diversity of intestinal flora, the secretion level of SCFAs and the expression level of FOXP3 were significantly increased compared with the OVX group. In terms of inflammatory indicators, the intestinal inflammation scores of the SG group was significantly lower than those in the OVX group. Additionally, the serum expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in the SG group were significantly increased compared with the OVX group, and the expression levels of IL-17 and TNF-α were significantly decreased compared with the OVX group. In terms of protein expression, the expression levels of ZO-1, Occluding and OPG were significantly increased in the SG group compared with the OVX group, and the expression level of RANKL was significantly decreased compared with the OVX group.

Discussion

Shengu granules treatment can improve the imbalance of intestinal flora, increase the secretion of SCFAs and the expression of FOXP3, which reduces the inflammatory response and repairs the intestinal barrier, as well as regulates the expression of OPG/RANKL signaling axis. Overall, Shengu granules ameliorate ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by the gut-bone-immune axis.

A leaky gut dysregulates gene networks in the brain associated with immune activation, oxidative stress, and myelination in a mouse model of colitis

The gut and brain are increasingly linked in human disease, with neuropsychiatric conditions classically attributed to the brain showing an involvement of the intestine and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) displaying an ever-expanding list of neurological comorbidities. To identify molecular systems that underpin this gut-brain connection and thus discover therapeutic targets, experimental models of gut dysfunction must be evaluated for brain effects. In the present study, we examine disturbances along the gut-brain axis in a widely used murine model of colitis, the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model, using high-throughput transcriptomics and an unbiased network analysis strategy coupled with standard biochemical outcome measures to achieve a comprehensive approach to identify key disease processes in both colon and brain. We examine the reproducibility of colitis induction with this model and its resulting genetic programs during different phases of disease, finding that DSS-induced colitis is largely reproducible with a few site-specific molecular features. We focus on the circulating immune system as the intermediary between the gut and brain, which exhibits an activation of pro-inflammatory innate immunity during colitis. Our unbiased transcriptomics analysis provides supporting evidence for immune activation in the brain during colitis, suggests that myelination may be a process vulnerable to increased intestinal permeability, and identifies a possible role for oxidative stress and brain oxygenation. Overall, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of multiple systems in a prevalent experimental model of intestinal permeability, which will inform future studies using this model and others, assist in the identification of druggable targets in the gut-brain axis, and contribute to our understanding of the concomitance of intestinal and neuropsychiatric dysfunction.

Effect of chronic low-dose treatment with chitooligosaccharides on microbial dysbiosis and inflammation associated chronic ulcerative colitis in Balb/c mice

The study aimed to investigate the potential of low dose chitooligosaccharide (COS) in ameliorating dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced chronic colitis by regulating microbial dysbiosis and pro-inflammatory responses. Chronic colitis was induced in BALB/c mice by DSS (4% w/v, 3 cycles of 5 days) administration. The mice were divided into four groups: vehicle, DSS, DSS + mesalamine and DSS+COS. COS and mesalamine were administered orally, daily once, from day 1 to day 30 at a dose of 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively. The disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histopathological score, microbial composition, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were evaluated. COS (20 mg/kg, COSLow) administration reduced the disease activity index, and colon shortening, caused by DSS significantly. Furthermore, COSLow restored the altered microbiome in the gut and inhibited the elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-6) in the colon against DSS-induced chronic colitis in mice. Moreover, COSLow treatment improved the probiotic microflora thereby restoring the gut homeostasis. In conclusion, this is the first study where microbial dysbiosis and pro-inflammatory responses were modulated by chronic COSLow treatment against DSS-induced chronic colitis in Balb/c mice. Therefore, COS supplementation at a relatively low dose could be efficacious for chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Dietary flavonoids-microbiota crosstalk in intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the third leading cancer and commonly develops from chronic intestinal inflammation. A strong association was found between gut microbiota and intestinal inflammation and carcinogenic risk. Flavonoids, which are abundant in vegetables and fruits, can inhibit inflammation, regulate gut microbiota, protect gut barrier integrity, and modulate immune cell function, thereby attenuating colitis and preventing carcinogenesis. Upon digestion, about 90% of flavonoids are transported to the colon without being absorbed in the small intestine. This phenomenon increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria and enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids. The gut microbe further metabolizes these flavonoids. Interestingly, some metabolites of flavonoids play crucial roles in anti-inflammation and anti-tumor effects. This review summarizes the modulatory effect of flavonoids on gut microbiota and their metabolism by intestinal microbe under disease conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, colitis-associated cancer (CAC), and CRC. We focus on dietary flavonoids and microbial interactions in intestinal mucosal barriers as well as intestinal immune cells. Results provide novel insights to better understand the crosstalk between dietary flavonoids and gut microbiota and support the standpoint that dietary flavonoids prevent intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Identification and immunoinfiltration analysis of key genes in ulcerative colitis using WGCNA

Objective

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by an unclear pathogenesis. This study aims to screen out key genes related to UC pathogenesis.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was conducted for screening key genes linked to UC pathogenesis, and the expression of the screened key genes was verified by establishing a UC mouse model.

Results

Through bioinformatics analysis, five key genes were obtained. Subsequent infiltration analysis revealed seven significantly different immune cell types between the UC and general samples. Additionally, animal experiment results illustrated markedly decreased body weight, visible colonic shortening and damage, along with a significant increase in the DAI score of the DSS-induced mice in the UC group in comparison with the NC group. In addition, H&E staining results demonstrated histological changes including marked inflammatory cell infiltration, loss of crypts, and epithelial destruction in the colon mucosa epithelium. qRT-PCR analysis indicated a down-regulation of ABCG2 and an up-regulation of IL1RN, REG4, SERPINB5 and TRIM29 in the UC mouse model. Notably, this observed trend showed a significant dependence on the concentration of DSS, with the mouse model of UC induced by 7% DSS demonstrating a more severe disease state compared to that induced by 5% DSS.

Conclusion

ABCG2, IL1RN, REG4, SERPINB5 and TRIM29 were screened out as key genes related to UC by bioinformatics analysis. The expression of ABCG2 was down-regulated, and that of IL1RN, REG4, SERPINB5 and TRIM29 were up-regulated in UC mice as revealed by animal experiments.

Investigation of the mechanism of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis: The role of lung microbiota dysbiosis and the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway

The widespread manufacture of silica and its extensive use, and potential release of silica into the environment pose a serious human health hazard. Silicosis, a severe global public health issue, is caused by exposure to silica, leading to persistent inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms of silicosis remain elusive. Lung microbiota dysbiosis is associated with the development of inflammation and fibrosis. However, limited information is currently available regarding the role of lung microbiota in silicosis. The study therefore is designed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the role of lung microbiota dysbiosis and establish a basis for future investigations into the potential mechanisms underlying silicosis. Here, the pathological and biochemical parameters were used to systematically assessed the degree of inflammation and fibrosis following silica exposure and treatment with combined antibiotics. The underlying mechanisms were studied via integrative multi-omics analyses of the transcriptome and microbiome. Analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA revealed dysbiosis of the microbial community in silicosis, characterized by a predominance of gram-negative bacteria. Exposure to silica has been shown to trigger lung inflammation and fibrosis, leading to an increased concentration of lipopolysaccharides in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, Toll-like receptor 4 was identified as a key molecule in the lung microbiota dysbiosis associated with silica-induced lung fibrosis. All of these outcomes can be partially controlled through combined antibiotic administration. The study findings demonstrate that the dysbiosis of lung microbiota enhances silica-induced fibrosis associated with the lipopolysaccharides/Toll-like receptor 4 pathway and provided a promising target for therapeutic intervention of silicosis.

Unraveling the microbial puzzle: exploring the intricate role of gut microbiota in endometriosis pathogenesis

Endometriosis (EMs) is a prevalent gynecological disorder characterized by the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterine cavity, causing debilitating symptoms and infertility. Despite its prevalence, the exact mechanisms behind EMs development remain incompletely understood. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the relationship between gut microbiota imbalance and EMs pathogenesis. Recent research indicates that gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in various aspects of EMs, including immune regulation, generation of inflammatory factors, angiopoietin release, hormonal regulation, and endotoxin production. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota can disrupt immune responses, leading to inflammation and impaired immune clearance of endometrial fragments, resulting in the development of endometriotic lesions. The dysregulated microbiota can contribute to the release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), triggering chronic inflammation and promoting ectopic endometrial adhesion, invasion, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, gut microbiota involvement in estrogen metabolism affects estrogen levels, which are directly related to EMs development. The review also highlights the potential of gut microbiota as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target for EMs. Interventions such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and the use of gut microbiota preparations have demonstrated promising effects in reducing EMs symptoms. Despite the progress made, further research is needed to unravel the intricate interactions between gut microbiota and EMs, paving the way for more effective prevention and treatment strategies for this challenging condition.

Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides ameliorate ulcerative colitis in mice by modulating gut microbiota and its metabolism

The gut microbiota plays a central role in maintaining human health and has been linked to many gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC). Agaricus bisporus is a famous edible mushroom, and Agaricus bisporus polysaccharides (ABPs) and the two purified fractions (ABP-1 and ABP-2) were demonstrated to exhibit immunomodulatory activity in our previous study. Herein, we further found that ABPs, ABP-1, and ABP-2 possessed therapeutic effects against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. ABPs, ABP-1, and ABP-2 could relieve body weight loss, colon atrophy, and histological injury, increase tight junction proteins, restore gut-barrier function, and inhibit inflammation. ABP-2 with a lower molecular weight (1.76 × 104 Da) showed a superior therapeutic effect than ABP-1 with a higher molecular weight (8.86 × 106 Da). Furthermore, the effects of ABP-1 and ABP-2 were microbiota-dependent, which worked by inducing Norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia and inhibiting Escherichia-Shigella and Proteus. In addition, untargeted fecal metabolomic analysis revealed distinct modulation patterns of ABP-1 and ABP-2. ABP-1 mainly enriched steroid hormone biosynthesis, while ABP-2 significantly enriched bile secretion and tryptophan metabolism. In summary, ABPs, especially low-molecular-weight fraction, represent novel prebiotics for treatment of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Fermentation characteristics and prebiotic potential of enzymatically synthesized butyryl-fructooligosaccharides

Existing prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs), can be modified to enhance their functionality or introduce additional functionalities. This study aimed to investigate the fermentation characteristics and prebiotic potential of enzymatically synthesized butyryl-FOSs. The esters were successfully synthesized through the reaction of butyric acid and FOSs using both chemical and enzymatic methods, denoted as A-FOSs and B-FOSs, respectively, for comparative analysis. The esterification degree of each component in A-FOSs was significantly higher than that of B-FOSs. Subsequently, the obtained esters were characterized for their fermentation properties, degradation mode and potential prebiotic effects using an in vitro simulated colonic fermentation model. Enzymes of human gut microbiota were found to preferentially cleave the glycosidic bond to the unit without butyryl group and release the sugars for utilization. A significant increase in butyric acid levels was observed during fermentation after the supplementation of B-FOSs. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing, absolute quantification of microbiota, and selected probiotic strains culture showed that B-FOSs supplementation promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful ones. These results suggest that B-FOSs hold promise as novel prebiotics, possessing dual functions of modulating gut microbiota and delivering butyric acid to the colon in a targeted manner, ultimately contributing to improved gut health.

Fraxetin ameliorates symptoms of dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the primary inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and causes a serious threat to human public health around the world. Currently, there are no proven safe and effective treatment options to treat UC. Fraxetin (Fxt) is a widely recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory legume derived from ash bark. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect and mechanism of Fxt on UC. Our results showed that Fxt significantly attenuated the body weight, colon length reduction, tissue damage, and disease activity index induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Moreover, the DSS-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasomes was inhibited, and the inflammatory response was reduced. Fxt restored gut barrier function by increasing the number of goblet cells and the levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin). In addition, Fxt can alter the intestinal microbiota by enhancing the diversity of the microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. These results revealed that Fxt alleviates DSS-induced colitis by modulating the inflammatory response, enhancing epithelial barrier integrity and regulating the gut microbiota. This study may provide a scientific basis for the potential therapeutic effect of Fxt in the prevention of colitis and other related diseases.

Isoquercitrin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and intestinal flora

Intestinal mucosal barrier damage is closely associated with the development of several intestinal inflammatory diseases. Isoquercitrin (IQ) is a natural flavonoid compound derived from plants, which exhibits high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with minimal side effects in humans. Therefore, it shows great potential for preventing and treating intestinal mucosal barrier damage. This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect and mechanism of IQ on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice. The mice were treated with IQ for 7 days and then injected with LPS to induce intestinal mucosal barrier damage. The results revealed that IQ treatment alleviated LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice, which can be evidenced by the improvements in intestinal morphology and the promotion of expression in intestinal tight junctions (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), as well as MUC2 mucin. IQ also attenuated intestinal inflammatory responses by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression and plasma levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, IQ significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Dubosiella, Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibaculum rodentium, while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria such as Mucispirillum schaedleri in the intestinal flora of mice. Consequently, IQ can alleviate the LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in mice by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and modulating the intestinal flora.

Impact of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Gut Microbiota and Microbiota Associated Functions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Evidence on Animal Models

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health problem in which gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a pivotal pathogenic role. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy has shown promising application prospects for its powerful immune regulation and tissue repair ability. Recent experimental data suggest that MSCs also regulate the composition of gut microbiota. The current review analyzed, for the first time, the research data linking MSCs and gut microbiota modulation in IBD models aiming at assessing the role of gut microbiota in MSCs repair of IBD.

METHODS

A comprehensive and structured literature search was performed up to January 2023 on the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The quality and risk of bias assessment followed the PRISMA guidelines and SYRCLE's tool.

RESULTS

A total of nine pre-clinical studies on animal models were included. Although the dose and route of MSCs applied were quite heterogeneous, results showed that MSCs displayed protective effects on intestinal inflammation, including mice general assessment, immunoregulation, and intestinal barrier integrity. Meanwhile, studies showed positive effects on the composition of gut flora with MSCs administration, which had been characterized by restoration of Firmicutes/ Bacteroides balance and reduction of Proteobacteria. The beneficial bacteria Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus were also distinctly enriched, and the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia-Shigella was conversely decreased. The alpha and beta diversity were also regulated to resemble those of healthy mice. Microbial metabolic functions, such as biosynthesis of secondary bile acid and sphingolipid metabolism, and some biological behaviors related to cell regeneration were also up-regulated, while cancer function and poorly characterized cellular function were down-regulated.

CONCLUSION

Current data support the remodeling effect on gut microbiota with MSC administration, which provides a potential therapeutic mechanism for MSCs in the treatment of IBD. Additional studies in humans and animal models are warranted to further confirm the role of gut microflora in MSCs repairing IBD.

Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera: Mechanisms of Action, Focus on Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a tropical tree native to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan; it is cultivated for its nutritious leaves, pods, and seeds. This scientific study was conducted to outline the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds from M. oleifera. The existing research has found that the plant is used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals: flavonoids and polyphenols. The compounds are thought to exert their anti-inflammatory effects due to: (1) inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes: quercetin and kaempferol inhibit the pro-inflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase); (2) regulation of cytokine production: isothiocyanates modulate signaling pathways involved in inflammation, such as the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway; isothiocyanates inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α) and IL-1β (interleukin-1β); and (3) antioxidant activity: M. oleifera contains flavonoids, polyphenols, known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. The review includes M. oleifera's effects on cardiovascular protection, anti-hypertensive activities, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This research could prove valuable for exploring the pharmacological potential of M. oleifera and contributing to the prospects of developing effective medicines for the benefit of human health.

The effect and mechanism of Huangqin-Baishao herb pair in the treatment of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Background

The haungqing (Scutellariae Radix) and baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) herb pair (HBHP) is a common prescribed herbal formula or is added to other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the underlying mechanism is unclear.

Purpose

Elucidate the efficacy and potential mechanism of HBHP against UC.

Methods

First, The UC model of mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was established. The mice were randomly divided into Control group, DSS group, SASP group (390 mg/kg), and HPHP group (1.95 g/kg), with 8 mice per group. Drugs were administrated via oral gavage for 7 days. Then, Disease activity index (DAI), length of the colon, histopathology, and changes in inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissues were analyzed to assess the effect of HBHP on UC. Besides, Network pharmacology was applied to identify the active compounds, core targets of HBHP in the treatment of UC, and the corresponding signaling pathways to explore the underlying mechanisms. Finally, Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular docking were performed to validate the results.

Results

HBHP significantly reduced DAI score and decreased colon length shortening in DSS-induced UC mice. The administration of HBHP was able to effectively alleviated mucosal ulceration and epithelial destruction. In addition, HBHP treatment obviously - reduced the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in colon tissues (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). 35 bioactive compounds and 290 HBHP targets related to UC were obtained. Among them 3 key active compounds (baicalein, panicolin, and norwogonin) with higher degree values in the drug-compound-target network and 21 hub genes (STAT3, JAK2, SRC, AKT1, PIK3CA, and VEGFA, etc.) were identified. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that HBHP's mechanisms mainly involve the JAK-STAT pathway. Abnormal activation of JAK/STAT signaling is believed to be involved in the pathogeneses of UC. Notably, WB and IHC showed that HBHP significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of p-JAK2 (p < 0.05) and p-STAT3 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). JAK2 and STAT3 might be core targets for the action of HBHP; this possibility was also supported by molecular docking.

Conclusions

HBHP could alleviate DSS-induced UC, reduce tissue inflammation, and its mechanism might primarily be achieved by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, our work revealed that network pharmacology combined with experimental verification is a cogent means of studying the mechanism of TCM.

Fecal microbiota transplantation combined with prebiotics ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice

Aim: To investigate the effect of treatment with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Materials & methods: A total of 90 mice, divided into nine groups, were administered FMT or prebiotics or combined treatment. The disease activity index scores, gut microbiota and inflammation factors were evaluated. Results: The treatment using FMT combined with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides in a 9:1 ratio significantly reduced intestinal barrier damage and alleviated symptoms of UC. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and short-chain fatty acids were significantly increased after the combined treatment. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that FMT with prebiotics is a new method for UC treatment.

Pulsatillae radix extract alleviates DSS-induced colitis via modulating gut microbiota and inflammatory signaling pathway in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing intestinal disease with complex pathogenesis. The increasing morbidity and mortality of UC become a global public health threat. Baitouweng decoction (BD), a formulated prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been applied to cure UC for many centuries. However, the therapeutic efficacy and working mechanisms of this medicine are not well studied.

Aim of study

In this study we determined whether Pulsatillae radix, one of four ingredients in BD, had a therapeutic effect on colitis. And explore the underlying mechanism of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel radix in the improvement of DSS-induced colitis in mice model.

Methods

The active compounds of Pulsatilla chinensis was identified by UPLC. The composition of the mice's cecum microbiota was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. And gene expression profile of colon was detected by transcriptome.

Results

The results showed that Pulsatillae radix significantly improved the clinical symptom, prevented the shorten of colon length, and decreased the diseased activity index (DAI) in an 3 % DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model. We found that Pulsatillae radix reversed the dysbiosis of gut microbiota as evidenced by increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Deferribacteres, and Proteobacteria phyla and decrease in Firmicutes, as well as by decrease in the genera levels of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Mucispirillum, Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Escherichia. The results of transcriptome showed Pulsatillae radix administration led to 128 genes up-regulation, and 122 genes down-regulation, up-regulate NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, down-regulate Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways.

Conclusion

in this study, we demonstrate Pulsatillae radix alleviates DSS-induced colitis probably via modulating gut microbiota and inflammatory signaling pathway in DSS-induced colitis mouse model.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Alleviates Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A-Induced Intestinal Barrier Damage by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB/MAPKs-NLRP3 Inflammatory Cascade

Natural phytochemicals have attracted increasing attention because of their promising ability to tackle bacteriotoxin-induced public safety concerns. However, it is unclear how natural phytochemicals regulate the intestinal barrier dysfunction caused by bacteriotoxin, such as staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). This study aims to illustrate the in vitro and in vivo protective mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on SEA-triggered intestinal barrier damage and inflammation. Results show that EGCG alleviates intestinal barrier damage by effectively inhibiting SEA-induced intestinal permeability increase, tight junction protein and mucin loss, and intestinal cell apoptosis. EGCG also reduces intestinal inflammation by suppressing the TLR4-NF-κB/MAPKs-NLRP3 pathway. Importantly, EGCG reverses gut microbiota dysbiosis and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content decrease induced by SEA. It is worth noting that this study also detects the direct interaction between the phytochemical and virulence factors and finds that EGCG effectively not only inhibits the secretion of SEA but also binds with the secreted SEA to attenuate its toxicity. Taken together, EGCG mitigates SEA-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via gut microbiota SCFA-mediated TLR4-NF-κB/MAPKs-NLRP3 inflammatory cascade inhibition. Overall, this research provides enlightening insight into the application of bacteriotoxin-targeting natural compounds in the field of food safety and human wellness.

Walnut Protein Peptides Ameliorate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis Damage in Mice: An in Silico Analysis and in Vivo Investigation

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a food with food-medicine homology, whose derived protein peptides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. However, the effects and mechanisms of walnut protein peptides on ulcerative colitis (UC) in vivo have not been systematically and thoroughly investigated. In this study, we applied virtual screening and network pharmacology screening of bioactive peptides to obtain three novel WPPs (SHTLP, HYNLN, and LGTYP) that may alleviate UC through TLR4-MAPK signaling. In vivo studies have shown that WPPs improve intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and reduce inflammation by inhibiting activation of the TLR4-MAPK pathway. In addition, WPPs restore intestinal microbial homeostasis by reducing harmful bacteria (Helicobacter and Bacteroides) and increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Candidatus_Saccharimonas). Our study showed that the WPPs obtained by virtual screening were effective in ameliorating colitis, which has important implications for future screening of bioactive peptides from medicinal food homologues as drugs or dietary supplements.

Ellagic Acid Prevented Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate-Induced Colitis, Liver, and Brain Injury through Gut Microbiome Changes

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects millions of people worldwide and is considered a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies reported that ellagic acid (EA) exhibits important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of EA against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis, liver, and brain injury in mice through the gut-liver-brain axis. Acute colitis, liver, and brain injury were induced by treatment with 5% (w/v) DSS in the drinking water for 7 days. Freshly prepared EA (60 mg/kg/day) was orally administered, while control (CON) group mice were treated similarly by daily oral administrations with a vehicle (water). All the mice were euthanized 24 h after the final treatment with EA. The blood, liver, colon, and brain samples were collected for further histological and biochemical analyses. Co-treatment with a physiologically relevant dose (60 mg/kg/day) of EA for 7 days significantly reduced the DSS-induced gut barrier dysfunction; endotoxemia; and inflammatory gut, liver, and brain injury in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition and inhibiting the elevated oxidative and nitrative stress marker proteins. Our results further demonstrated that the preventive effect of EA on the DSS-induced IBD mouse model was mediated by blocking the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Therefore, EA co-treatment significantly attenuated the pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers by suppressing the activation of NF-κB/MAPK pathways in gut, liver, and brain injury. These results suggest that EA, effective in attenuating IBD in a mouse model, deserves further consideration as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Astragalin: a food-origin flavonoid with therapeutic effect for multiple diseases

Naturally occurring flavonoids have long been utilized as essential templates for the development of novel drugs and as critical ingredients for functional foods. Astragalin (AG) is a natural flavonoid that can be isolated from a variety of familiar edible plants, such as the seeds of green tea, Morus alba L., and Cuscuta chinensis. It is noteworthy that AG has a wide range of pharmacological activities and possesses therapeutic effects against a variety of diseases, covering cancers, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, mastitis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, diabetic complications, ischemia/reperfusion injury, neuropathy, respiratory diseases, and reproductive system diseases. This article reviewed the natural source and pharmacokinetics of AG and systematically summarized the pharmacological activities and potential mechanisms of AG in treating diverse diseases in order to promote the development of AG as a functional food, in doing so providing references for its clinical application in disease therapy.

Puerarin alleviates inflammation and pathological damage in colitis mice by regulating metabolism and gut microbiota

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota and metabolic pathway disorders are closely related to the ulcerative colitis. Through network pharmacology, we found that puerarin is a potential ingredient that can improve the crypt deformation and inflammatory infiltration in mice, and decrease the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly. Listeria, Alistipes and P. copri gradually became dominant bacteria in UC mice, which were positively correlated with inflammatory factors. Puerarin effectively improved dysbiosis by reducing the abundance of Alistipes, P. copri and Veillonella, and increasing the level of Desulfovibrionacea. Correlation network and metabolic function prediction analysis of the microbiota showed that they formed a tightly connected network and were widely involved in carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Specifically, we observed significant changes in the tryptophan metabolism pathway in DSS mice, with an increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Enterobacteriaceae involved in tryptophan metabolism. However, this metabolic disorder was alleviated after puerarin treatment, including the reversal of 3-HAA levels and an increase in the abundance of Rhodobacteraceae and Halomonadaceae involved in kynurenine metabolism, as well as a significant increase in the purine metabolite guanosine. In conclusion, our study suggests that puerarin has a good therapeutic effect on UC, which is partially achieved by restoring the composition and abundance of gut microbiota and their metabolism.

Effect of Cordyceps militaris Powder Prophylactic Supplementation on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Impairment and Microbiota-Metabolites Axis in DSS-Injured Mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease with an unknown pathogenesis and increasing incidence. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of prophylactic treatment with Cordyceps militaris on UC. The findings demonstrate that prophylactic supplementation of C. militaris powder effectively mitigates disease symptoms in DSS-injured mice, while also reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, C. militaris powder enhances the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier by up-regulating MUC2 protein expression and improving tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin 1) in DSS-injured mice. Multiomics integration analyses revealed that C. militaris powder not only reshaped gut microbiota composition, with an increase in Lactobacillus, Odoribacter, and Mucispirillum, but also exerted regulatory effects on various metabolic pathways including amino acid, glyoxylates, dicarboxylates, glycerophospholipids, and arachidonic acid. Subsequent analysis further elucidated the intricate interplay of gut microbiota, the intestinal mucosal barrier, and metabolites, suggesting that the microbiota-metabolite axis may involve the effect of C. militaris on intestinal mucosal barrier repair in UC. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that peptides and polysaccharides, derived from C. militaris, exerted an ability to change the gut microbiota structure of UC patients' feces, particularly by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus. These findings suggest that regulatory properties of C. militaris on gut microbiota may underlie the potential mechanism responsible for the protective effect of C. militaris in UC. Consequently, our study will provide support for the utilization of C. militaris as a whole food-based ingredient against the occurrence and development of UC.

Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine alleviates DSS-induced colitis in BALB/c mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common inflammatory bowel disease, whose incidence is on the rise worldwide. The drugs commonly used for UC are often associated with a number of side effects. Therefore, the development of effective, food-borne substances for UC is in line with the current needs. Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) is one of the abundant lipids in egg yolk and possesses various biological activities. However, its protective effect against UC has not been clarified. In this study, the anti-UC activity of EYPC was investigated using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model of BALB/c mice. The results showed that EYPC supplementation inhibited DSS-induced colon shortening, the spleen index and disease activity index increase and intestinal structural damage. EYPC could down-regulate the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MPO in the colon and restore the number of goblet cells and the level of tight junction (TJ) proteins. Besides, EYPC modulated the composition of the gut microbiota, lowered the relative abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Parabacteroides and upregulated the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Alistipes and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. These results evidenced that EYPC could attenuate DSS-induced colitis in mice and had the potential to prevent and treat UC.

Natural anti-inflammatory products for osteoarthritis: From molecular mechanism to drug delivery systems and clinical trials

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions globally. The present nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatments have different side effects, leading researchers to focus on natural anti-inflammatory products (NAIPs). To review the effectiveness and mechanisms of NAIPs in the cellular microenvironment, examining their impact on OA cell phenotype and organelles levels. Additionally, we summarize relevant research on drug delivery systems and clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to promote clinical studies and explore natural product delivery options. English-language articles were searched on PubMed using the search terms "natural products," "OA," and so forth. We categorized search results based on PubChem and excluded "natural products" which are mix of ingredients or compounds without the structure message. Then further review was separately conducted for molecular mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and RCTs later. At present, it cannot be considered that NAIPs can thoroughly prevent or cure OA. Further high-quality studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanism and drug delivery systems of NAIPs are needed, to determine the appropriate drug types and regimens for clinical application, and to explore the combined effects of different NAIPs to prevent and treat OA.

Treatment with S-adenosylmethionine ameliorates irinotecan-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and intestinal microbial disorder in mice

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) on irinotecan-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and microbial ecological dysregulation in both mice and human colon cell line Caco-2, which is widely used for studying intestinal epithelial barrier function. Specifically, this study utilized Caco-2 monolayers incubated with 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) as well as an irinotecan-induced diarrhea model in mice. Our study found that SAM pretreatment significantly reduced body weight loss and diarrhea induced by irinotecan in mice. Furthermore, SAM inhibited the increase of intestinal permeability in irinotecan-treated mice and ameliorated the decrease of Zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 expression. Additionally, irinotecan treatment increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria compared to the control group, an effect that was reversed by SAM administration. In Caco-2 monolayers, SAM reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ameliorated the decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and increase in fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4000 Da (FD-4) flux caused by SN-38. Moreover, SAM attenuated changes in the localization and distribution of ZO-1and Occludin in Caco-2 monolayers induced by SN-38 and protected barrier function by inhibiting activation of the p38 MAPK/p65 NF-κB/MLCK/MLC signaling pathway. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the potential use of SAM in treating diarrhea caused by irinotecan.

Lead exposure disrupted ileal barrier of developmental Japanese quails(Coturnix japonica): Histopathological damages, microbiota dysbiosis and immune disorder

The gut barrier plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis and is usually composed of a mechanical barrier, a chemical barrier, an immune barrier, and a biological barrier. However, the impacts of lead (Pb) exposure on avian gut barrier are still unclear. Therefore, the present study tried to determine the toxic effects of Pb on ileal barrier of a biological model-Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). One-week old quails were exposed to 0, 50, 500 and 1000 ppm Pb in drinking water for 5 weeks. The results showed mechanic barrier in the ileum was disrupted with microstructural deformation featured by epithelial cell abscission, villi contractions and goblet cells reduction as well as ultrastructural changes characterized by swollen mitochondria, blurry tight junctions and microvilli subtraction. Meanwhile, the expression of genes associated with intestinal tight junctions was downregulated in Pb-treated groups indicating tight junction malfunction. Moreover, less mucus and downregulation of expression of mucin2 (Muc2) and Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) indicated chemical barrier disturbance by Pb. In addition, the alteration of microbial diversity and emergence of pathogen bacteria suggested ileal biological barrier disruption by Pb. Furthermore, Pb caused immune dysfunction in the ileum through promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibiting the expression of anti-inflammatory factor interleukin 10 (IL-10). The present study demonstrated that Pb may pose health risks to birds through gut barrier damages.

Analysis of the Flavonoidome Reveals the Different Health-Promoting Flavonoid Characteristics in Fruit

Flavonoids are one of the important metabolites of plants, and many flavonoids have functions of antioxidant or antimicrobial, which can help plants resist environmental stress. On the other hand, flavonoids also have a health-promoting effect for humans, such as antioxidant and anti-aging, and some flavonoids can assist in disease treatment. Fruit is one of the main sources of plant food and flavonoids intake for humans. Understanding the flavonoidome of various fruits is helpful to choose fruit combinations according to different demands. In this study, we explored the composition and relative content of flavonoids in 22 fruits and analyzed some health-promoting flavonoids in fruits. In addition, we selected several fruits and measured their antioxidant capacity through experiments. Our study initially established a database of fruit flavonoidome, and can provide reference for nutrition research, fruit breeding and industrial development.

A leaky gut dysregulates gene networks in the brain associated with immune activation, oxidative stress, and myelination in a mouse model of colitis

The gut and brain are increasingly linked in human disease, with neuropsychiatric conditions classically attributed to the brain showing an involvement of the intestine and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) displaying an ever-expanding list of neurological comorbidities. To identify molecular systems that underpin this gut-brain connection and thus discover therapeutic targets, experimental models of gut dysfunction must be evaluated for brain effects. In the present study, we examine disturbances along the gut-brain axis in a widely used murine model of colitis, the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model, using high-throughput transcriptomics and an unbiased network analysis strategy coupled with standard biochemical outcome measures to achieve a comprehensive approach to identify key disease processes in both colon and brain. We examine the reproducibility of colitis induction with this model and its resulting genetic programs during different phases of disease, finding that DSS-induced colitis is largely reproducible with a few site-specific molecular features. We focus on the circulating immune system as the intermediary between the gut and brain, which exhibits an activation of pro-inflammatory innate immunity during colitis. Our unbiased transcriptomics analysis provides supporting evidence for immune activation in the brain during colitis, suggests that myelination may be a process vulnerable to increased intestinal permeability, and identifies a possible role for oxidative stress and brain oxygenation. Overall, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of multiple systems in a prevalent experimental model of intestinal permeability, which will inform future studies using this model and others, assist in the identification of druggable targets in the gut-brain axis, and contribute to our understanding of the concomitance of intestinal and neuropsychiatric dysfunction.

Combining 16S rRNA Sequencing and Metabolomics Data to Decipher the Interactions between Gut Microbiota, Host Immunity, and Metabolites in Diarrheic Young Small Ruminants

Diarrhea is associated with gut microbiota, immunity, and metabolic alterations in goat kids and lambs. This study used 28 lambs (11 healthy and 17 diarrheic) and 20 goat kids (10 healthy and 10 diarrheic) to investigate the association between diarrhea occurrence and changes in gut microbiota, metabolism, and immunity in goat kids and lambs. The results revealed that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in goat kids and lambs. In addition, Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae families were identified in both diarrheic goat kids and lambs. Furthermore, functional prediction of microbiota showed that it was involved in cell motility and cancer pathways. The identified differential metabolites were implicated in the bile secretion pathway. Lambs had significant differences in immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) compared to goat kids. IgG and IL-1β were positively correlated to Patescibacteria, Clostridiaceae, and unclassified_Muribaculaceae in both diarrheic goat kids and lambs. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that the MEgreen module was positively associated with IgG, IgM, IL-1β, TNF-α, and triglyceride (TG). In conclusion, our results characterized the gut microbiota, metabolism, and immune status of lambs and goat kids suffering from diarrhea.

Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharide modified nano-selenium effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis through enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function and antioxidant capacity

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is currently the most common inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Due to its diverse and complex causes, there is no cure at present, and researchers are constantly exploring new therapies. In recent years, nano-selenium particle(SeNP) has attracted wide attention due to excellent biological activities. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, we used a natural polysaccharide, Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharide (EUP), modified SeNP to get EUP-SeNP with a size of about 170 nm, and its effect on 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced colitis was explored. Our results showed that colon intestinal histology, intestinal mucosal barrier, inflammatory cytokines and intestinal microbiome composition were changed after EUP-SeNP treatment in colitis mice. Specifically, it was also shown that oral treatment of EUP-SeNP could relieve the degree of DSS-induced colitis in mice by restoring weight loss, reducing disease activity index (DAI), enhancing colon antioxidant capacity and regulating intestinal microbiome composition. In addition, we verified the mechanism in intestinal epithelial cell lines, showing that EUP-SeNP inhibited LPS-induced activation of the TRL-4/NF-κB signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cell lines. To some extend, our study provides therapeutic reference for the treatment of IBD.

Dealcoholized muscadine wine was partially effective in preventing and treating dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and restoring gut dysbiosis in mice

Muscadine wine has a unique polyphenol profile consisting of anthocyanins, ellagic acids, and flavonols. This study aims to compare the prevention, treatment, and combined activity (P + T) of dealcoholized muscadine wine (DMW) on DSS-induced colitis in mice and its impact on the gut microbiome. Male C57BL/6 mice in the healthy and colitis group received an AIN-93M diet for 28 days. In the prevention, treatment, and P + T (prevention + treatment) groups, mice received an AIN-93M diet containing 2.79% (v/w) DMW on days 1-14, 15-28, and 1-28, respectively. Except for mice in the healthy group, all mice were given water with 2.5% (w/v) DSS on days 8-14 to induce colitis. DMW in all three receiving groups reduced myeloperoxidase activity, histology scores, and phosphorylation of Iκb-α in the colon. Colon shortening, serum IL-6, and colonic mRNA of TNF-α were blunted only in the P + T group. Gut permeability was reduced in the treatment and P + T groups. DMW in P + T group showed higher activity to increase microbiome evenness, modulate β-diversity, elevate the cecal content of SCFAs, and enrich SCFA-producing bacteria, including Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Peptococcaceae. This was accompanied by a decrease in pathogenic Burkholderiaceae in mice. This study suggests that muscadine wine has partial preventive and therapeutic effects against inflammatory bowel disease. The combination of prevention and treatment using DMW showed better activities than either prevention or treatment.

Analysis of the Gut Microbiome and Dietary Habits in Metastatic Melanoma Patients with a Complete and Sustained Response to Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma patients, although most patients do not achieve a complete response. While specific gut microbiome and dietary habits might influence treatment success, there is a lack of concordance between the studies, potentially due to dichotomizing patients only into responders and non-responders. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether metastatic melanoma patients with complete and sustained response to immunotherapy exhibit differences in gut microbiome composition among themselves, and whether those differences were associated with specific dietary habits. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed that patients who exhibited a complete response after more than 9 months of treatment (late responders) exhibited a significantly higher beta-diversity (p = 0.02), with a higher abundance of Coprococcus comes (LDA 3.548, p = 0.010), Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum (LDA 3.392, p = 0.024), and lower abundance of Prevotellaceae (p = 0.04) compared to early responders. Furthermore, late responders exhibited a different diet profile, with a significantly lower intake of proteins and sweets and a higher intake of flavones (p < 0.05). The research showed that metastatic melanoma patients with a complete and sustained response to immunotherapy were a heterogeneous group. Patients with a late complete response exhibited microbiome and dietary habits which were previously associated with an improved response to immunotherapy.

Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides attenuates colitis via reshaping gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis is a gastrointestinal disease closely related to intestinal epithelial barrier damage and intestinal microbiome imbalance; however, effective treatment methods are currently limited. Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide (RGP) is an important active ingredient with a wide range of pharmacological activities, although its protective effect on colitis remains to be explored. In the present study, we verified the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of RGP, and observed the ameliorating effect of RGP on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice.

RESULTS

The results showed that (i) RGP attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced overexpression of inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 cells; (ii) RGP improves the pathological damage caused by DSS, including weight loss, increased disease activity index and intestinal tissue ulcers; (iii) RGP improves tight junction proteins to protects the tightness of the intestinal epithelium; (iv) RGP inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors through the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, and improved the of intestinal tissues inflammation; and (v) RGP can maintain the species diversity of intestinal microbes, increase the content of short-chain fatty acids and then restore the imbalance of intestinal microecology.

CONCLUSION

RGP can improve the intestinal microbiota to strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier and protect against DSS-induced colitis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum JS19 on mice with dextran sulfate sodium induced acute and chronic ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis is associated with intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. Previous studies have shown that probiotics are potential agents for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Jiang-shui is a traditional fermented vegetable that is rich in lactic acid bacteria (LABs), but the preventive effect of LABs in jiang-shui on IBD is not yet fully understood.

RESULTS

We isolated 38 LAB strains from jiang-shui, and Lactobacillus plantarum JS19 exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity among them. Our data indicate that oral administration of L. plantarum JS19 significantly inhibited body weight loss, colon shortening and damage, and reduced the disease activity index score in the mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. In addition, L. plantarum JS19 also alleviated inflammatory responses and oxidative stress through reducing lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor-α expression, and myeloperoxidase activity and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity. Importantly, L. plantarum JS19 significantly rebalanced DSS-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

L. plantarum JS19 may be used as a potential probiotic to prevent IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Blackcurrant Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis in Mice

Previous studies have reported that anthocyanin (ACN)-rich materials have beneficial effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). Blackcurrant (BC) has been known as one of the foods rich in ACN, while studies demonstrating its effect on UC are rare. This study attempted to investigate the protective effects of whole BC in mice with colitis using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Mice were orally given whole BC powder at a dose of 150 mg daily for four weeks, and colitis was induced by drinking 3% DSS for six days. Whole BC relieved symptoms of colitis and pathological changes in the colon. The overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum and colon tissues was also reduced by whole BC. In addition, whole BC significantly lowered the levels of mRNA and protein of downstream targets in the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, BC administration increased the expression of genes related to barrier function: ZO-1, occludin, and mucin. Moreover, the whole BC modulated the relative abundance of gut microbiota altered with DSS. Therefore, the whole BC has demonstrated the potential to prevent colitis through attenuation of the inflammatory response and regulation of the gut microbial composition.

Astragalin ameliorates renal injury in diabetic mice by modulating mitochondrial quality control via AMPK-dependent PGC1α pathway

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, and oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play an important role in this process. It has been shown that aldose reductase (ALR2) catalyzes NADPH-dependent reduction of glucose to sorbitol, resulting in oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic patients. Astragalin (AG), a flavonoid extracted from Thesium chinense Turcz., shows an inhibitory activity on ALR2. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of AG against renal injury in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Diabetic mice were orally administered AG (5, 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 4 weeks. We showed that AG treatment greatly improved the proteinuria and ameliorated renal pathological damage without affecting the elevated blood glucose in diabetic mice. Furthermore, AG treatment significantly suppressed highly activated ALR2, and reduced oxidative stress in the kidney of diabetic mice and in high glucose and lipids-stimulated HK2 cells in vitro. We demonstrated that AG treatment modulated mitochondrial quality control and ameliorated apoptosis, boosting mitochondrial biogenesis, maintaining mitochondrial dynamic homeostasis, and improving energy metabolism disorder in vivo and in vitro. In high glucose and lipids-stimulated HK2 cells, we found that AG (20 μM) restored the phosphorylation level of AMPK, and upregulated the expression and transcriptional activity of PGC1α, whereas treatment with H₂O₂, blockade of AMPK with Compound C or knockdown of AMPKα with siRNA abolished the protective effect of AG on mitochondrial function, suggesting that antioxidant effects and activation of AMPK-dependent PGC1α pathway might be the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of AG on mitochondrial quality control. We conclude that AG could be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of diabetic renal injury through activating AMPK.

Treatment Effects of Natural Products on Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Vivo and Their Mechanisms: Based on Animal Experiments

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory disease of the intestine that can be classified as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, the incidence of IBD is still increasing in developing countries. However, current treatments for IBD have limitations and do not fully meet the needs of patients. There is a growing demand for new, safe, and highly effective alternative drugs for IBD patients. Natural products (NPs) are used in drug development and disease treatment because of their broad biological activity, low toxicity, and low side effects. Numerous studies have shown that some NPs have strong therapeutic effects on IBD. In this paper, we first reviewed the pathogenesis of IBD as well as current therapeutic approaches and drugs. Further, we summarized the therapeutic effects of 170 different sources of NPs on IBD and generalized their modes of action and therapeutic effects. Finally, we analyzed the potential mechanisms of NPs for the treatment of IBD. The aim of our review is to provide a systematic and credible summary, thus supporting the research on NPs for the treatment of IBD and providing a theoretical basis for the development and application of NPs in drugs and functional foods.

Lentilactobacillus kefiri SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata alleviate dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis in mice

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory conditions that typically involve diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss, with a dramatic impact on patients' quality of life. Standard medications are often associated with adverse side effects. Thus, alternative treatments such as probiotics are of great interest. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Lentilactobacillus kefiri (basonym: Lactobacillus kefiri) SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata, namely, Paniculin 13™, on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)- treated C57BL/6J mice.

Methods

Colitis was induced by administering 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 9 days. Forty male mice were divided into four groups, receiving PBS (control), 1.5% DSS, Paniculin 13™ and 1.5% DSS + Paniculin 13™.

Results

The results showed that body weight loss and Disease Activity Index (DAI) score were improved by Paniculin 13™. Moreover, Paniculin 13™ ameliorated DSS-induced dysbiosis, by modulating the gut microbiota composition. The gene expression of MPO, TNFα and iNOS in colon tissue was reduced and these data matched with the histological results, supporting the efficacy of Paniculin 13™ in reducing the inflammatory response. No adverse effects were associated to Paniculin 13™ administration.

Discussion

In conclusion, Paniculin 13™ could be an effective add-on approach to conventional therapies for IBD.