Oral administration of taheebo (Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb.) water extract prevents DSS-induced colitis in mice by up-regulating type II T helper immune responses

Abstract

BackgroundInflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders that are mediated by pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that taheebo water extract (TWE) derived from Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb., as folk remedy, has been used to treat various inflammatory diseases. Although TWE has been previously shown to display anti-inflammatory activities, the in vivo effects of TWE on mucosal immune responses remain unclear.MethodsWe examined the anti-inflammatory effects of TWE on innate immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages and also on the differentiation of T helper cells. Lastly, adopting a method for dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, we investigated whether the oral administration of TWE can modulate mucosal inflammatory responses.ResultsWe found that TWE could activate DCs to produce immunosuppressive IL10 and polarize macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN). Such alterations in DCs and macrophages resulted in a significant increase in anti-inflammatory Th2 and Foxp3+ Treg cells and a dramatic decrease in pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells in the MLN. Upon induction of colitis with DSS treatment, TWE significantly reduced the clinical symptoms, including body weight loss and colonic tissue inflammation, by up-regulating type II T helper immune responses.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggest that TWE is an excellent natural product with therapeutic effects to help improve inflammatory disorders such as colitis.

Tabebuia impetiginosa: A Comprehensive Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Immunopharmacological Properties

“…T. impetiginosa has been used traditionally to treat cancer [ 24 ], obesity [ 25 ], depression [ 26 ], viral, fungal, and bacterial infections [ 27 ], and inflammatory symptoms such as pain [ 28 ], arthritis [ 15 ], colitis [ 29 ], and prostatitis since the Inca civilization. The Callawaya Tribe makes a concentrated tea out of the tree’s inner bark for treating skin inflammatory diseases [ 8 ].…”

“…On the other hand, dendritic cells can affect the differentiation of CD4 + T cells, which are important for adaptive immunity, while treatment with T. impetiginosa can induce differentiation of CD4 + T cells, resulting in induction of Th2 and differentiation of regulatory T cells. The expansion of regulatory T and Th2 cells may suppress the Th1 response, thereby preventing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice [ 29 ].…”

“…Park et al [ 29 ] investigated the effect of T. impetiginosa on a DSS-induced colitis mouse model. They discovered that T. impetiginosa protected the colon from inflammation by reducing mucosal edema loss, epithelial crypts, and inflammatory cell infiltration.…”

Potential of myricetin to restore the immune balance in dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute murine ulcerative colitis

“…Certain bioactive compounds present in plants have been widely researched and have been shown to be antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and anti‐inflammatory agents . Baicalin has been reported to attenuate TNBS‐induced colitis, and water extract of taheebo also could prevent DSS‐induced colitis . These bioactive compounds provide an alternative chance for the treatment of colitis.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7] Baicalin has been reported to attenuate TNBS-induced colitis, and water extract of taheebo also could prevent DSS-induced colitis. [8,9] These bioactive compounds provide an alternative chance for the treatment of colitis.…”