The protective effect of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. polysaccharide on DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice via the modulation of gut microbiota and inhibition of NF‐κB activation

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSchisandra chinensis(Turcz.)Baill, a fruit utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medical application. It has been used to treat diseases of gastrointestinal tract. Schisandra chinensis(Turcz.)Baill polysaccharide (SACP) is an important biologically active ingredient that has been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including immune regulation and anti‐oxidative properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is complicated gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. We explore the protective effect of SACP for UC treatment.RESULTSSACP significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) and levels of MPO and MDA in colonic tissue. It also alleviated weight loss and histopathological damage of mice. The expression of MUC2 and occludin proteins were increased and the barrier function of the colonic mucosa was enhanced by SACP treatment. In addition, NF‐κB pathway activation was inhibited, and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines were decreased while anti‐inflammatory cytokines were increased. 16SrDNA sequencing of fecal flora showed that SACP increased the abundance of Muribaculaceaeunclassified, LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group and reduced the abundance of Bacteroides and Erysipelatoclostridium.CONCLUSIONSACP can protect against DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis alters the proportion and composition of replicating gut bacteria

“…68,69 In contrast, Group 2 bacterial taxa Erysipelatoclostridium and E. fissicatena persistently increase after colitis development, as reported elsewhere. [70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87] While the mechanisms behind this increase are unclear, our data align with the literature while also contributing a finer time scale regarding their changes in abundance during colitis.…”

“…Despite a limited number of studies noting the contrary 99,[114][115][116] , these results are in accordance with the behaviour of Erysipelatoclostridium reported in prior studies during intestinal disturbance. Indeed, this genus and one of its species, namely Clostridium ramosum (also known as E. ramosum or Thomasclavelia ramosum), [117][118][119] have been associated with intestinal inflammation or injury in humans, 46,48,73,[120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127] increasing in abundance in mouse models of colitis [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82] and infection 128 , and being positively correlated with fecal water content (i.e., diarrhea), a common colitis symptom 2,[22][23][24]129,130 . The high replication activity of Erysipelatoclostridium we report demonstrates that it is a particularly active taxon during colitis, resulting in a possibly outsized impact on the microbial environment and the host.…”

“…with intestinal inflammation or injury in humans, 46,48,73,[120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127] increasing in abundance in mouse models of colitis [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82] and infection 128 , and being positively correlated with fecal water content (i.e., diarrhea), a common colitis symptom 2,[22][23][24]129,130 . The high replication activity of Erysipelatoclostridium we report demonstrates that it is a particularly active taxon during colitis, resulting in a possibly outsized impact on the microbial environment and the host.…”