Troxerutin Improves Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Efficient regioselective enzymatic acylation of troxerutin: difference characterization of in vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity

In this study, we developed a multi-site acylation strategy to improve the lipophilicity and cellular uptake of troxerutin, a natural flavonoid with many health-promoting bioactivities. By clarifying the acylation properties of troxerutin catalyzed by lipases from different sources, a series of troxerutin ester derivatives acylated at different sites was synthesized, including troxerutin dipropyl (TDP), tripropyl (TTP), tetrapropyl (TEP), dibutyl (TDB), monohexyl (TMH), monooctyl (TMO) and monodecyl (TMD) esters. Interestingly, the troxerutin esters acylated at multiple sites with shorter fatty chains (TDP, TTP and TEP) had similar lipophilicity to the mono-acylated esters bearing longer fatty chains (TMH, TMO and TMD, respectively) and meanwhile demonstrated surprisingly lower cytotoxicity than that of the long fatty-chain mono-esters. In particular, the multi-acylated esters with shorter fatty chains showed remarkably higher cellular uptake than the mono-esters with long fatty chains. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion suggested that the multi-acylated esters of troxerutin were more resistant to gastrointestinal degradation than the mono-esters. These results indicated that multi-site acylation with short fatty chains could be an effective alternative to introducing one-site mono-acylation for the modification of troxerutin and other flavonoid compounds.

Fabrication of the Rapid Self-Assembly Hydrogels Loaded with Luteolin: Their Structural Characteristics and Protection Effect on Ulcerative Colitis

Luteolin (LUT) is a fat-soluble flavonoid known for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, its use in the food industry has been limited due to its low water solubility and bioavailability. In this study, hyaluronic acid, histidine, and luteolin were self-assembled to construct tubular network hydrogels (HHL) to improve the gastrointestinal stability, bioavailability, and stimulation response of LUT. As anticipated, the HHL hydrogel's mechanical strength and adhesion allow it to withstand the challenging gastrointestinal environment and effectively extend the duration of drug presence in the body. In vivo anti-inflammatory experiments showed that HHL hydrogel could successfully alleviate colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice by reducing intestinal inflammation and restoring the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, HHL hydrogel also regulated the intestinal microorganisms of mice and promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids. The HHL hydrogel group demonstrated a notably superior treatment effect compared to the LUT group alone. The hydrogel delivery system is a novel method to improve the absorption of LUT, increasing its bioavailability and enhancing its pharmaceutical effects.

Celecoxib alleviates the DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by enhancing intestinal barrier function, inhibiting ferroptosis and suppressing apoptosis

INTRODUCTION

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory intestine disease characterized by dysfunction of the intestinal mucosal barrier, ferroptosis, and apoptosis. Previous researches suggest that celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, holds promise in alleviating inflammation in UC. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of celecoxib in UC.

METHODS

To identify ferroptosis-related drugs and genes associated with UC, we utilized the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), FerrDb databases, and DGIdb database. Subsequently, we established a 2.5% DSS (Dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis model in mice and treated them with 10 mg/kg of celecoxib to validate the bioinformatics results. We evaluated histological pathologies, inflammatory response, intestinal barrier function, ferroptosis markers, and apoptosis regulators.

RESULTS

Celecoxib treatment significantly ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice, as evidenced by the body weight change curve, colon length change curve, disease activity index (DAI) score, and histological index score. Celecoxib treatment reduced the level of pro-inflammatory factors and promoted the expressions of intestinal tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1 and Occludin, thereby restoring the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Furthermore, celecoxib treatment reversed the ferroptosis characteristics in DSS-induced mice by increasing glutathione (GSH), decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA), and increasing the expression of GPX-4 and xCT. Additionally, apoptosis was induced in mice with UC, as evidenced by increased Caspase3, BAD, P53, BAX, Caspase9 and Aifm1 production, and decreased expression of BCL-XL and BCL2. Celecoxib treatment significantly reversed the apoptotic changes in DSS-induced mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that celecoxib effectively treats DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting ferroptosis and apoptosis.

Oral Troxerutin Alleviates Depression Symptoms in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Microbial Metabolism

SCOPE

A growing body of evidence suggests that the harmful gut microbiota in depression patients can play a role in the progression of depression. There is limited research on troxerutin's impact on the central nervous system (CNS), especially in depression. The study finds that troxerutin effectively alleviates depression and anxiety-like behavior in mice by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Firmicutes while decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria like Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Actinobacteria in the gut. Furthermore, the research reveals that troxerutin regulates various metabolic pathways in mice, including nucleotide metabolism, caffeine metabolism, purine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, histidine metabolism, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and Arginine and proline metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence for the antidepressant efficacy of troxerutin. Through the investigation of the role of intestinal microorganisms and metabolites, the study identifies these factors as key players in troxerutin's ability to prevent depression. Troxerutin achieves its neuroprotective effects and effectively prevents depression and anxiety by modulating the abundance of gut microbiota, including Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Actinobacteria, as well as regulating metabolites such as creatine.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial and Antiulcerative Colitis Activities of Essential Oil from Pruni Semen

This study was sought to investigate the chemical composition and antibacterial and antiulcerative colitis (UC) effects of essential oil from Pruni Semen (PSEO). A GC-MS assay showed that the major compounds in PSEO were products of amygdalin hydrolysis, which possessed great antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential. In vitro antibacterial experiments demonstrated that PSEO treatment inhibited activity of four kinds of intestinal pathogens probably by disrupting the cell wall. Further in vivo studies showed that PSEO administration significantly improved physiological indexes, attenuated histopathological characteristics, and inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results predicted that PSEO might prevent UC via regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were further conducted for verification, and the results evidenced that PSEO intervention significantly regulated the PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of its downstream proteins in DSS-induced mice. PSEO might provide a new dietary strategy for UC treatment.

Integrative analysis with microbial modelling and machine learning uncovers potential alleviators for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a challenging form of inflammatory bowel disease, and its etiology is intricately linked to disturbances in the gut microbiome. To identify the potential alleviators of UC, we employed an integrative analysis combining microbial community modeling with advanced machine learning techniques. Using metagenomics data sourced from the Integrated Human Microbiome Project, we constructed individualized microbiome community models for each participant. Our analysis highlighted a significant decline in both α and β-diversity of strain-level microbial populations in UC subjects compared to controls. Distinct differences were also observed in the predicted fecal metabolite profiles and strain-to-metabolite contributions between the two groups. Using tree-based machine learning models, we successfully identified specific microbial strains and their associated metabolites as potential alleviators of UC. Notably, our experimental validation using a dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC mouse model demonstrated that the administration of Parabacteroides merdae ATCC 43,184 and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine provided notable relief from colitis symptoms. In summary, our study underscores the potential of an integrative approach to identify novel therapeutic avenues for UC, paving the way for future targeted interventions.

Application of Drug Repurposing Approach for Therapeutic Intervention of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), represented by Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, cramping, loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhoea, and weight loss. Although the etiology of IBD remains unclear, it is believed to be an interaction between genes, and environmental factors, such as an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota, changing food habits, an ultra-hygiene environment, and an inappropriate immune system. The development of novel effective therapies is stymied by a lack of understanding of the aetiology of IBD. The current therapy involves the use of aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, and corticosteroids that can effectively manage symptoms, induce and sustain remission, prevent complications, modify the course of the disease, provide diverse treatment options, showcase advancements in biologic therapies, and enhance the overall quality of life. However, the efficacy of current therapy is overshadowed by a plethora of adverse effects, such as loss of weight, mood swings, skin issues, loss of bone density, higher vulnerability to infections, and elevated blood pressure. Biologicals, like anti-tumour necrosis factor agents, can stimulate an autoimmune response in certain individuals that may diminish the effectiveness of the medication over time, necessitating a switch to alternative treatments. The response of IBD patients to current drug therapy is quite varied, which can lead to disease flares that underlines the urgent need to explore alternative treatment option to address the unmet need of developing new treatment strategies for IBD with high efficacy and fewer adverse effects. Drug repurposing is a novel strategy where existing drugs that have already been validated safe in patients for the management of certain diseases are redeployed to treat other, unindicated diseases. The present narrative review focuses on potential drug candidates that could be repurposed for the management of IBD using on-target and off-target strategies. It covers their preclinical, clinical assessment, mechanism of action, and safety profiles, and forecasts their appropriateness in the management of IBD. The review presents useful insights into the most promising candidates for repurposing, like anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic troxerutin, which has been found to improve the DSS-induced colitis in rats, an antiosteoarthritic drug diacetylrhein that has been found to have remarkable ameliorating effects on DSS-induced colitis via anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory properties and by influencing both apoptosis and pyroptosis. Topiramate, an antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drug, has remarkably decreased overall pathophysiological and histopathological events in the experimental model of IBD in rodents by its cytokine inhibitory action.

Walnut-Derived Peptide Improves Cognitive Impairment in Colitis Mice Induced by Dextran Sodium Sulfate via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA)

In this study, we investigated the protective mechanism of walnut-derived peptide LPLLR (LP-5) against cognitive impairment induced in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model, with emphasis on the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). The results revealed that LP-5 could improve the learning ability and memory of mice with cognitive impairment and mitigate colitis symptoms, including weight loss, bloody stools, colon shortening, and histopathological changes. Additionally, LP-5 protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier by promoting the expression of tight junction proteins (TJs) while attenuating colonic inflammation by suppressing proinflammatory cytokine and epithelial cell apoptosis. Western blotting indicated that LP-5 treatment suppressed the inflammatory NF-κB/MLCK/MLC signaling pathway activity. Furthermore, LP-5 ameliorated hippocampal neuron damage and protected blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity by downregulating microglia marker protein Iba-1, increasing TJ protein expression, and restoring the deterioration of synaptic proteins. Importantly, 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that LP-5 reshaped the abundance of a wide range of gut microbiota at the phylum and genus levels, with increased Prevotella and Akkermansia associated with tryptophan (TRP), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). These findings suggest that LP-5 could maintain intestinal barrier and BBB integrity, reverse gut dysbiosis, and improve learning and memory ability in colitis mice, providing novel insights into alterations of gut microbes in colitis and a potential new mechanism by which it causes cognitive impairment.

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.

Inhibition of IEC-6 Cell Proliferation and the Mechanism of Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice by Dandelion Root Polysaccharides

An exploration was conducted on the potential therapeutic properties of dandelion polysaccharide (DP) in addressing 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in murine models. Subsequent assessments focused on DP's influence on inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in IEC-6 cells damaged by H2O2. Results highlighted the efficacy of DP in mitigating weight loss, improving disease activity index scores, normalizing colon length, and alleviating histological abnormalities in the affected mice. DP repaired colonic mitochondrial damage by enhancing iron transport and inhibited iron death in colonic cells. Moreover, DP played a pivotal role in enhancing the antioxidant potential. This was evident from the increased expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, and GSH, coupled with a decrease in MDA and 4-HNE markers in the UC-afflicted mice. Concurrently, DP manifested inhibitory effects on MPO activation and transcription levels of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. An upsurge in the expression of occludin and ZO-1 was also observed. Restoration of intestinal tightness resulted in decreased serum LPS and LDH levels. Thereafter, administration of DP by gavage increased fecal flora diversity and relative abundance of probiotics in UC mice. Analysis of metabolites indicated that DP counteracted metabolic disturbances and augmented the levels of short-chain fatty acids in ulcerative colitis-affected mice. In vitro studies underscored the role of DP in triggering Nrf2 activation, which in turn exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-ferroptotic properties. Summarily, DP's capacity to activate Nrf2 contributes to the suppression of ferroptotic processes in intestinal epithelial cells of UC-affected mice, enhancing the intestinal barrier's integrity. Beyond that, DP possesses the ability to modulate the gut microbiome, rectify metabolic imbalances, rejuvenate short-chain fatty acid levels, and bolster the intestinal barrier as a therapeutic approach to UC.

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.

Comprehensive improvement of nutrients and volatile compounds of black/purple rice by extrusion-puffing technology

Introduction

Black/purple rice is a pigmented rice variety that contains high levels of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and other valuable bioactive compounds. Owing to its robust anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, black/purple rice exerts a beneficial effect on human health. Extrusion puffing technology has emerged as a promising means of improving rice flavor with lesser effect on nutrient content. In this study, metabolomics approach was used to conduct comprehensive metabolomics analyses aimed at examining the impact of extrusion puffing on black/purple rice nutritional value and flavor.

Methods

Firstly, the basic nutrient composition contents and extrudate characteristics of black/purple rice and Extrusion puffed black/purple rice were conducted. Then metabolomics profiling analyses of black/purple rice samples were performed to explore the impact of the extrusion puffing process on nutrient content and bioactive properties, in which we quantitatively determined the flavonoids and evaluated relative contents of volatile compounds.

Results

These analyses revealed that following extrusion puffing, black/purple rice exhibited significant improvements in the content of nutrients including flavonoids, minerals, and proteins together. Extrusion puffing additionally increased the diversity of volatile compounds within black/purple rice.

Discussion

These results suggest that extrusion puffing represents an effective means of substantially improving the functional and nutritional properties of black/purple rice, offering beneficial effects on consumer health. Overall, these data provide novel insights into the quality of extrusion puffed black/purple rice that will guide future efforts to establish how extrusion puffing can alter the nutrient content in a range of foods, thereby supporting the further development of a range of healthy food products.

Study on the material basis and mechanism of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni on sleep-improvement using Drosophila activity monitoring, metabolomic, targeted screening and transcriptomic

Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni, HC) is an edible plant and is traditionally considered with potential to improve sleep. Herein, based on the Drosophila activity monitoring, metabolome, targeted screening and transcriptome, the material basis and mechanism of HC on sleep-improvement was investigated. The results showed that the aqueous extracts of HC (HAE) as well as the ethanol extracts (HEE) all prolonged the total sleep time of insomnia fruit flies, especially HEE-60 and HEE-95 exhibited more significant effects. In addition, 539 of 728 found metabolites were screened as potential sleep-improved metabolites, and quercetin, linoleic acid, phenethyl caffeate, L-methionine and γ-aminobutyric acid were considered as core active metabolites. Meanwhile, 368 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were revealed by transcriptomics analysis, and the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction was deduced as the main pathway by KEGG pathway enrichment. Furthermore, nine DEGs located in this pathway, namely betaTry, deltaTry, gammaTry, epsilonTry, etaTry, iotaTry, lambdaTry, kappaTry and CG30031 were proven being up-regulated. All these results contribute to the development of HC-related functional foods.

Zinc-Rutin Particles Ameliorate DSS-Induced Acute and Chronic Colitis via Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Protection of the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier

In patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), the immune system is disrupted and the intestinal barrier function is compromised. Here, six zinc-flavonoid particles were produced by one-step reaction via changing flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, and rutin) and solvent (water and ethanol), and then their cytocompatibility and ability to scavenge H2O2, free radicals, and LPS-induced ROS were compared. Zinc-rutin particles (W-ZnRT) composed of rutin (78.92 wt %), Na12[ZnPO4]12·12H2O (6.76 wt %), and crystal water were screened out because W-ZnRT exhibited 80.8 ± 15% cell viability against RAW264.7, could rapidly scavenge 78.1 ± 1% of H2O2 and 71.6 ± 2% of DPPH within 30 min, and reduced LPS-increased intracellular ROS to normal levels. In addition, the therapeutic effects of rutin and W-ZnRT were also compared in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice. W-ZnRT was superior to rutin alone in chronic colitis (n = 9), although they were equally effective in acute colitis (n = 7). Compared to rutin, 11 oral doses of W-ZnRT (40 mg kg-1) significantly improved intestinal permeability (p = 0.0299) and colon length (p = 0.0025), reduced intestinal proinflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), and upregulated tight junction proteins to maintain intestinal barrier function. Taken together, these results identified W-ZnRT as an efficient and safe therapeutic strategy for IBD.

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via modulating intestinal microbiota in mice

Polysaccharides from Armillariella tabescens mycelia (AT) have a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Nevertheless, the impact of AT on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) has not yet been illustrated. This study aimed to explore AT's impact on experimental UC mice and investigate its underlying mechanisms. Mice were given DSS, 0.2 g/kg AT or 0.4 g/kg AT for seven days, and the symptoms of UC were observed. The serum and colon samples were harvested to analyze the biochemical indices and inflammasome-related proteins. The feces were collected to analyze short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gut microbiota. The present study found that AT improved the symptoms of UC, colonic oxidative stress, and inflammation. AT treatment elevated SCFAs contents and colonic barrier function. Furthermore, AT improved microbial community structure through the selective enrichment of beneficial bacterial species. In conclusion, these results underlined that AT improved DSS-induced colitis and inhibited colonic inflammation via regulating the intestinal microbial community and enhancing the colonic mucosal barrier.

Network pharmacology approaches for research of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Pharmacodynamics material basis and effective mechanisms are the two main issues to decipher the mechnisms of action of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for the treatment of diseases. TCMs, in "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" paradigm, show satisfactory clinical results in complex diseases. New ideas and methods are urgently needed to explain the complex interactions between TCMs and diseases. Network pharmacology (NP) provides a novel paradigm to uncover and visualize the underlying interaction networks of TCMs against multifactorial diseases. The development and application of NP has promoted the safety, efficacy, and mechanism investigations of TCMs, which then reinforces the credibility and popularity of TCMs. The current organ-centricity of medicine and the "one disease-one target-one drug" dogma obstruct the understanding of complex diseases and the development of effective drugs. Therefore, more attentions should be paid to shift from "phenotype and symptom" to "endotype and cause" in understanding and redefining current diseases. In the past two decades, with the advent of advanced and intelligent technologies (such as metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, single-cell omics, and artificial intelligence), NP has been improved and deeply implemented, and presented its great value and potential as the next drug-discovery paradigm. NP is developed to cure causal mechanisms instead of treating symptoms. This review briefly summarizes the recent research progress on NP application in TCMs for efficacy research, mechanism elucidation, target prediction, safety evaluation, drug repurposing, and drug design.

The role and mechanism of flavonoid herbal natural products in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine that presents clinically with abdominal pain, mucopurulent stools, and posterior urgency. The lesions of UC are mainly concentrated in the rectal and colonic mucosa and submucosa. For patients with mild to moderate UC, the best pharmacological treatment includes glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and biologics, but the long-term application can have serious toxic side effects. Currently, nearly 40% of UC patients are treated with herbal natural products in combination with traditional medications to reduce the incidence of toxic side effects. Flavonoid herbal natural products are the most widely distributed polyphenols in plants and fruits, which have certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Flavonoid herbal natural products have achieved remarkable efficacy in the treatment of UC. The pharmacological mechanisms are related to anti-inflammation, promotion of mucosal healing, maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis, and regulation of intestinal flora. In this paper, we summarize the flavonoid components of anti-ulcerative colitis and their mechanisms reported in the past 10 years, to provide a basis for rational clinical use and the development of new anti-ulcerative colitis drugs.

Probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum HNU082) Supplementation Relieves Ulcerative Colitis by Affecting Intestinal Barrier Functions, Immunity-Related Gene Expression, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolic Pathways in Mice

Probiotics can effectively improve ulcerative colitis (UC), but the mechanism is still unclear. Here, shotgun metagenome and transcriptome analyses were performed to explore the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum HNU082 (Lp082) on UC. The results showed that Lp082 treatment significantly ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice, which was manifested as increases in body weight, water intake, food intake, and colon length and decreases in disease activity index (DAI), immune organ index, inflammatory factors, and histopathological scores after Lp082 intake. An in-depth study discovered that Lp082 could improve the intestinal mucosal barrier and relieve inflammation by cooptimizing the biological barrier, chemical barrier, mechanical barrier, and immune barrier. Specifically, Lp082 rebuilt the biological barrier by regulating the intestinal microbiome and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Lp082 improved the chemical barrier by reducing intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) and increasing goblet cells and mucin2. Lp082 ameliorated the mechanical barrier by increasing zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), zonula occludens-2 (ZO-2), and occludin while decreasing claudin-1 and claudin-2. Lp082 optimized the immune barrier by reducing the content of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and increasing IL-10, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and TGF-β2, inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, probiotic Lp082 can play a protective role in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model by protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier, attenuating the inflammatory response, and regulating microbial imbalance. This study provides support for the development of probiotic-based microbial products as an alternative treatment strategy for UC. IMPORTANCE Many studies have focused on the therapeutic effect of probiotics on ulcerative colitis (UC), but few studies have paid attention to the mechanism of probiotics, especially the therapeutic effect. This study suggests that Lp082 has a therapeutic effect on colitis in mice. Its mechanisms of action include protecting the mucosal barrier and actively modulating the gut microbiome, modulating inflammatory pathways, and reducing neutrophil infiltration. Our study enriches the mechanism and provides a new prospect for probiotics in the treatment of colitis, helps to deepen the understanding of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and provides guidance for the future probiotic treatment of human colitis.

Betaine supplementation alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via regulating the inflammatory response, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and altering gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifaceted and recurrent immune disorder that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. Betaine is a natural compound that exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. However, the role of betaine in protecting IBD is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of betaine in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. The results showed that betaine greatly increased the body weight and decreased the disease activity index score of DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, betaine effectively downregulated the protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) and upregulated tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) in the mice. Additionally, betaine exposure remarkably restricted the DSS-induced phosphorylation of IκB and NF-κB p65 in mice. Similarly, betaine pretreatment improved the inflammatory response and intestinal barrier of Caco-2 cells. Betaine altered the gut microbiota composition, markedly decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and considerably increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota and Campylobacterota in DSS-induced mice. In conclusion, betaine could attenuate colitis via regulating the inflammatory response, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and altering gut microbiota and is conducive to developing new drugs for treating human diseases.

Effect of Lactobacillus with Feruloyl Esterase-Producing Ability on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is becoming an increasingly serious health problem. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a newly isolated Lactobacillus species that produces feruloyl esterase (FAEb) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice. In this study, FAEb supplementation slowed body weight loss and mitigated colon length shortening, the severity of fecal occult blood, and increases in the disease activity index (DAI) in UC model mice. FAEb supplementation was also shown to reduce the expression of proinflammatory factors, increase the antioxidant capacity, improve the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), upregulate the expression of tight junction proteins, reduce the histopathological scores, and reduce mucous barrier damage in the gut. Furthermore, FAEb supplementation was shown to inhibit inflammatory NF-κB signaling pathway activity, increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, and regulate the balance of microbiota in the gut. These results suggest that FAEb may serve as a potential probiotic to prevent and treat UC.

Computer-Aided Screening and Revealing Action Mechanism of Food-Derived Tripeptides Intervention in Acute Colitis

Food-derived tripeptides can relieve colitis symptoms; however, their alleviation mode has not been systematically evaluated as an alternative nutritional compound. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of 8000 food-derived tripeptides against acute colitis using a computer-aided screening strategy. Forty-one potential hub targets related to colitis with a Fit score > 4.0 were screened to construct the protein-protein and protein-tripeptide network based on the PharmMapper database and STRING software (Ver. 11.5). In addition, 30 significant KEGG signaling pathways with p-values < 0.001 that the 41 hub targets mainly participated in were identified using DAVID software (Ver. 6.8), including inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cell proliferation and differentiation-related signaling pathways, particularly in the Ras- and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed using the Autodock against majorly targeted proteins (AKT1, EGFR, and MMP9) with the selected 52 tripeptides. The interaction model between tripeptides and targets was mainly hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions, and most of the binding energy of the tripeptide target was less than −7.13 kcal/mol. This work can provide valuable insight for exploring food-derived tripeptide mechanisms and therapeutic indications.

Troxerutin attenuates insulin resistance via pancreatic IL-22/JAK1/STAT3 signaling activation in dihydrotestosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an extremely common endocrine-metabolic disorder and the main cause of infertility in premenopausal women, thus targeted treatments are sorely needed. Accumulative evidence showed that exogenous supplementation of IL-22 in PCOS mice may be of significant positive effect on insulin resistance (IR), a root causative factor for this condition, but much remained unknown about its mechanism. According to our previous study, troxerutin, a common anticoagulant and thrombolytic agent in clinic, alleviated various PCOS-like phenotypes in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated rat model with unclear mechanism. Here, glucose tolerance tests (GTTs), insulin tolerance tests (ITTs), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) analyses revealed that troxerutin treatment in DHT-treated rats also significantly improved insulin resistance and enhanced serum IL-22 levels, which thereby activated IL-22R1/Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in pancreatic islet. This protective effect of troxerutin on insulin resistance improvement was blocked by an inhibitor of p-STAT3, S3I-201. Troxerutin administration to DHT rats decreased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and enhanced secondary bile acid profiles, which were positively correlated with serum IL-22 concentration. Conclusively, the present study reported that troxerutin is an endogenous enhancer of IL-22 and the effect of troxerutin on insulin resistance improvement was via IL-22R1/JAK1/STAT3 signaling activation in a DHT-induced PCOS rat model. These insights may be translated into a primary therapeutic agent for PCOS with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Troxerutin decreased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, along with enhancement of secondary bile acids/IL-22 system, which thereby activated its downstream IL-22R1/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway in pancreatic β cells, subsequently attenuated insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenism and PCOS-like phenotypes in DHT-induced PCOS rat models. Troxerutin is an endogenous IL-22 enhancer and may be of therapeutic value for PCOS with insulin resistance.

Inchinkoto, the Traditional Japanese Kampo Medicine, Enhances Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function In Vitro

Inchinkoto (ICKT), a traditional herbal medicine that is often used as a hepatoprotective drug in Japan, has pharmacological properties that include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and choleretic actions. Genipin is a metabolite of geniposide and the most abundant ingredient of ICKT; furthermore, it is considered to be the active substance responsible for its pharmacological properties in the liver. Drugs with such pharmacological characteristics are expected to prevent intestinal barrier dysfunction, which causes inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, no studies have investigated the effects of ICKT on the intestinal epithelial barrier. Therefore, we investigated the activity of ICKT in intestinal tight junctions by using cultured Caco-2 cell monolayers. The action of the compound on tight junctions was examined by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and sodium fluorescein (Na-F) permeability in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was assessed by using immunofluorescent staining. ICKT and genipin increased TEER and decreased Na-F permeability, which was suggestive of enhanced intestinal epithelial barrier function. Moreover, they prevented the LPS-induced destruction of the barrier, i.e., a decrease in TEER and an increase in Na-F permeability. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a high claudin-1 expression level on the cell surface, whereas exposure to LPS downregulated claudin-1. In turn, ICKT and genipin prevented the LPS-mediated reduction of claudin-1. These results suggest that ICKT enhances intestinal epithelial barrier function by upregulating claudin-1. Furthermore, genipin contributed to these effects. ICKT may be a promising medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with intestinal barrier disruption, such as IBD, obesity, and metabolic disorders.

Efficacy of Mecobalamin Tablets Combined with Troxerutin in the Treatment of NSCLC Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective

To assess the efficacy of mecobalamin tablets combined with troxerutin in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Methods

From January 2020 to December 2021, 120 NSCLC patients with CIPN treated in our institution meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled and assigned to receive mecobalamin tablets treatment in the control group, or assigned to receive mecobalamin tablets combined with troxerutin treatment in the research group, with 60 patients in each group. All patients were evaluated for clinical efficacy, neuropathic score, patient-reported CIPN symptoms, neuropathic pain grade, and quality of life after 3 weeks of treatment.

Results

The clinical treatment effective rate of the patients in the research group was significantly higher than that of the patients in the control group (81.7% vs. 58.3%, P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, neuropathic score, numbness and tingling score, hot/coldness in hands/feet score, and peripheral neurotoxicity grade in all patients decreased significantly after treatment (P < 0.05). And these reductions were more considerable in the research group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the quality of life scores (EORTC QLQ-C30) increased significantly in all patients after treatment, and this rise was more considerable in the research group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Mecobalamin tablets combined with troxerutin in the treatment of NSCLC patients with CIPN is effective and safe, and can significantly improve the symptoms and quality of life of NSCLC patients with CIPN.

Linarin ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice via the improvement of intestinal barrier, suppression of inflammatory responses and modulation of gut microbiota

Linarin is a natural flavonoid compound found in Chrysanthemum indicum, Mentha species and other plants with various biological activities. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of linarin supplementation on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice and its potential mechanisms. The results showed that doses of linarin at 25 and 50 mg kg^-1 day^-1 alleviated the DSS-induced histopathological damage, and improved the mucosal layer and intestinal barrier function. Importantly, Linarin significantly suppressed the levels of myeloperoxidase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β) in the colon, and enhanced the mRNA level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Moreover, 50 mg kg^-1 day^-1 linarin reversed the gut microbiota damaged by DSS, including Alistipes, Rikenella and Clostridia UCG-014_norank. Linarin also partly increased the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Parabacteroides and Blautia, and elevated the contents of SCFAs. Collectively, linarin attenuates DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting that linarin may be a promising nutritional strategy for reducing inflammatory bowel disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Mulberry Leaf Flavonoids In Vitro and In Vivo

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a flowering tree traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine. Mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs) have been reported to exert important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to select the MLF with the best anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities from MLFs eluted by different ethanol concentrations (30%, 50%, and 75%) and explore its pharmacological properties. Three types of MLFs inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. All MLFs boosted the antioxidative capacity by decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and improving the metal ion chelating activity and reducing power. The results revealed that the MLFs eluted by 30% ethanol exhibited the best anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. A nontargeted metabolomic analysis was used to analyze 24 types of differential flavonoids between the MLFs. Quercetin, kaempferol, and their derivatives in 30%MLF were more abundant than the other two MLFs. Furthermore, we evaluated the pharmacological activities of 30%MLF in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice. The 30%MLF could alleviate the clinical symptoms, reduce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibit the activation of the inflammatory pathway in DSS-induced colitis mice. This study will provide valuable information for the development of MLFs eluted by 30% ethanol as a functional food.

Inflammatory auto-immune diseases of the intestine and their management by natural bioactive compounds

Autoimmune diseases are caused by the overactivity of the immune system towards self-constituents. Risk factors of autoimmune diseases are multiple and include genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and psychological. Autoimmune chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, including celiac and inflammatory diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), constitute a significant health problem worldwide. Besides the complexity of the symptoms of these diseases, their treatments have only been palliative. Numerous investigations showed that natural phytochemicals could be promising strategies to fight against these autoimmune diseases. In this respect, plant-derived natural compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids exhibited significant effects against three autoimmune diseases affecting the intestine, particularly bowel diseases. This review focuses on the role of natural compounds obtained from medicinal plants in modulating inflammatory auto-immune diseases of the intestine. It covers the most recent literature related to the effect of these natural compounds in the treatment and prevention of auto-immune diseases of the intestine.

Troxerutin alleviates kidney injury in rats via PI3K/AKT pathway by enhancing MAP4 expression

Background

Troxerutin is a flavonoid compound and possesses potential anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Besides, cisplatin is one of the most widely used therapeutic agents, but the clinical uses of cisplatin are often associated with multiple side effects, among which nephrotoxicity is more common.

Objective and design

This study explored the protective effects of troxerutin (150 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 14 days) against cisplatin-induced kidney injury and the potential mechanism using Wistar rats as an experimental mammalian model.

Results

We discovered that troxerutin could significantly alleviate cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, such as increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (P < 0.01), as well as improved abnormal renal tissue microstructure and ultrastructure. Additionally, troxerutin significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels (P < 0.01), p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, TNF-α, Pro-IL-1β, IL-6, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-xl associated death promoter (Bad), Cytochrome C (Cyt C), Cleaved-caspase 9, Cleaved-caspase 3, and Cleaved-caspase 8 protein levels (P < 0.01) in the kidney tissues of cisplatin-treated rats; and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities (P < 0.01), IL-10, Bcl-2 protein levels (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

These results suggested that the underlying mechanism might be attributed to the regulation of Phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway via enhancing MAP4 expression to attenuate cellular apoptosis, alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Thiol-Functionalized Cellulose-Grafted Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for the Therapy of Experimental Colitis in Swiss Albino Mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which deleteriously affects the lower end of the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., the colon and the rectum. UC affects colonic inflammatory homeostasis and disrupts intestinal barrier functions. Intestinal tissue damage activates the immune system and collectively worsens the disease condition via the production of various cytokines. Ongoing therapeutics of UC have marked limitations like rapid clearance, extensive first-pass metabolism, poor drug absorption, very low solubility, bioavailability, etc. Because of these restrictions, the management of UC demands a rational approach that selectively delivers the drug at the site of action to overcome the therapeutic limiting factors. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have good therapeutic efficacy against colitis, but their uses are limited due to adverse effects on the biological system. In this study, we have used biocompatible thiol-functionalized cellulose-grafted copper oxide nanoparticles (C-Cu^I/IIO NPs) to treat UC. The metal NPs alleviated the colitis condition as evidenced by the colon length and observed physical parameters. Analysis of histopathology demonstrated the recovery of the colon architecture damaged by dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Treatment with C-Cu^I/IIO NPs reduced the disintegration of goblet cells and the retainment of sulfomucin. Significant downregulation of inflammatory markers like MPO activity, as well as levels of nitrite and TNF-α, was found following C-Cu^I/IIO NP treatment. The observations from the study suggested that intrarectal treatment of colitis with cellulose-based C-Cu^I/IIO NPs successfully combated the intestinal inflammatory condition.

Plum Prevents Intestinal and Hepatic Inflammation in the Acute and Chronic Models of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Mouse Colitis

SCOPE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the digestive tract and increases the risk of colon cancer.

METHOD AND RESULTS

This study evaluates the effects of dietary intervention with freeze-dried plum (FDP), a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory fruit with no toxicity on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic experimental colitis in a mouse model and studies the molecular mechanisms of protection through the gut-liver axis. The results show that FDP decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators, which is a nitrative stress biomarker in both acute and chronic models. FDP markedly reduces DSS-induced injury to the colonic epithelium in both acute and chronic models. In addition, FDP significantly decreases the levels of pro-oxidant markers such as CYP2E1, iNOS, and nitrated proteins (detected by anti-3-NT antibody) in DSS-induced acute and chronic colonic injury models. Furthermore, FDP markedly reduces markers of liver injury such as serum ALT/AST, antioxidant markers, and inflammatory mediators in DSS-induced acute and chronic colonic injury.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that the FDP exhibits a protective effect on DSS-induced acute and chronic colonic and liver injury through the gut-liver axis via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook polysaccharide ameliorates dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced colitis in mice via improving intestinal barrier function, modulating intestinal microbiota, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses

The ameliorative effect of Dendrobium fimbriatum polysaccharide (cDFPW1) on ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated using a dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced (DSS-induced) mouse model in the present study. The results showed that cDFPW1 effectively improved colitis in mice by ameliorating weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) and colonic pathological damage, and by protecting the intestinal barrier function integrity. Moreover, cDFPW1 modulated the composition and metabolism of intestinal microbiota through enhancing Romboutsia, Lactobacillus and Odoribacter, and reducing Parasutterella, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia and Acinetobacter in colitis mice. Notably, cDFPW1 significantly restored the homeostasis of Th17/regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expression of specific cytokines. Western blotting of colon tissues showed that cDFPW1 markedly up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB signaling. These results indicated that cDFPW1 possesses the potential of improving UC and its effect on palliating colitis may be connected with the regulation of Nrf2/NF-κB signaling.

Bioactives and their metabolites from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaves ameliorate DSS-induced colitis via protecting the intestinal barrier, mitigating oxidative stress and regulating the gut microbiota

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, a precious edible and medicinal plant in China, has attracted extensive research attention in recent years due to its high traditional value for the treatment of various diseases. In vitro digestion and colonic fermentation models were established to evaluate the stability of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaves (THL) phenolics by the HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS method. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were degraded during digestion and fermentation. 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, orientin and (iso)vitexin were metabolized by digestive enzymes and the gut microbiota, and absorbed in the form of glycosides and smaller phenolic acids for hepatic metabolism. The protective effects of THL on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and potential mechanisms were explored. The results showed that THL supplementation increased the body weight and colon length, and the expression levels of tight junction proteins including occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 were up-regulated by THL. The secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines containing IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly suppressed, whereas the content of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was promoted in the THL treated group. In addition, THL treatment activated the nuclear transfer of Nrf2, improved the expression of SOD, CAT, HO-1, NQO1 and GCLC, and decreased the content of MPO and MDA. It is worth noting that THL treatment significantly increased the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased the abundance of Ruminococcaceae, and decreased the abundance of Verrucomicrobia which is positively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results indicated that THL effectively inhibited DSS-induced colitis by maintaining the intestinal epithelial barrier, mitigated oxidative stress through regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and regulated the imbalance of the intestinal flora structure.

Butyrylated starch protects mice from DSS-induced colitis: combined effects of butyrate release and prebiotic supply

Butyrate has recently emerged as a promising substance for the therapy of colitis. To overcome the shortcomings implicated in the existing delivery systems of butyrate, we utilized butyrylated starch to specifically deliver butyrate to the colon. Herein, we describe the stable loading of butyrate via chemical bonds with a heterogeneous distribution throughout the particle. Butyrylated starch supply increased butyrate as well as total short-chain fatty acid contents at the end of the intervention period. Moreover, butyrylated starch showed multiple effects on the suppression of DSS-induced colitis. From the observation of the gut-liver axis, reduced hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte damage further confirmed alleviated colonic inflammation. Given that butyrylated starch has the combined effects of specific release of butyrate in the colon and extra supply of fermentable substrates for gut microbiota, this work provides an effective strategy for the assistant therapy of colitis.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Fruit Polysaccharides Regulated IBD Mice Via Targeting Gut Microbiota: Association of JNK/ERK/NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease characterized by intestinal inflammation with immune dysregulation and intestinal microecological imbalance. In a dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced IBD mouse model, noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit polysaccharides (NFP) with homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan-I domain decreased the concentration of serum LPS, TNF-α, and IL-17 by 84, 42, and 65%, respectively. It was abolished when intestinal microbiota were depleted by antibiotics. Sequencing analysis of gut microbiota showed an attenuated disruption of the microbial composition in the DSS+NFP group. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that NFP upregulated the content of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid by onefold but reduced isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid contents. NFP also inhibited JNK, ERK, and NF-κB phosphorylation of IBD mice. Taken together, the mechanism of NFP alleviating IBD is related to the intestinal microecological balance to inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways. This study provides a basis for NFP as a cheap intervention for the prevention and treatment of IBD patients.