China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2023, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (11): 4664-4680.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2023.11.034

• Basic Veterinary Medicine • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Macleaya cordata Leaf Extract on Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

MA Xiaolan1, DONG Zhen2, YUE Meishan1, CHANG Guanyu1, ZENG Jianguo1,2   

  1. 1. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Modernization of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China;
    2. Hunan Key Laboratory of Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
  • Received:2023-05-31 Online:2023-11-05 Published:2023-10-27

Abstract: 【Objective】 The purpose of this experiment was to study the protection of Macleaya cordata leaf extract (MCLE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice, and provide a theoretical basis for resource utilization and drug development of Macleaya cordata leaves.【Method】 Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:Control group (CON), dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model group, mesalazine (MES) positive control group (200 mg/kg), and MCLE high (MCLE-H, 450 mg/kg), medium (MCLE-M, 150 mg/kg) and low (MCLE-L, 50 mg/kg) dose groups.The test lasted for 14 days.The therapeutic effect of MCLE on DSS-induced colitis in mice was evaluated by general signs, body weight change, disease activity index (DAI), spleen index, colon length and histopathology.The expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum and colon tissues were detected by ELISA and Real-time quantitative PCR, respectively.The contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in colonic tissue were determined by colorimetry.The effect of MCLE on intestinal flora was determined by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequence.The content of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colonic contents was determined by gas chromatography.【Result】 MCLE treatment significantly inhibited the weight loss and colon length shortening of UC mice (P<0.01), and significantly reduced DAI, spleen index and colon histopathological score (P<0.05).Moreover, MCLE significantly down-regulated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon and serum (P<0.05), decreased the content of MPO, NO and MDA in colon tissue (P<0.05), and increased the content of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT (P<0.05).At the same time, compared with DSS group, the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Alistipes and Akkermansia increased in MCLE administration group, and the proportion of pathogenic bacteria such as Desulfovibrio decreased.In addition, MCLE treatment also significantly increased the levels of SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid) in intestinal contents of UC mice (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 MCLE might play an anti-colitis role by regulating the level of inflammatory factors, reducing the effects of oxidative stress, maintaining intestinal flora homeostasis and restoring the production of SCFAs.

Key words: Macleaya cordata leaf extract; mice; ulcerative colitis; inflammatory factors; intestinal flora; short chain fatty acids

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