The Possible Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Dehydrocostus Lactone on DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice

Abstract EN

Background.

Dehydrocostus lactone (DL), one of the main active constituents in Aucklandia lappa Decne.

(Muxiang), reported to have anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, and immunomodulatory properties.

However, the effect of DL on ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been reported.

To analyze the anti-inflammatory potential role of DL in UC, we provide a mechanism for the pharmacological action of DL.

Methods.

The experimental model of UC was induced by using oral administration of 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) with drinking water in BALB/c mice.

Mesalazine (Mes, 0.52 g/kg/d), DL-high doses (DL-H, 20 mg/kg/d), DL-middle doses (DL-M, 15 mg/kg/d), DL-low doses (DL-L, 10 mg/kg/d) were gavaged once a day from day 4 to day 17.

Disease activity index (DAI) was calculated daily.

On day 18, mice were rapidly dissected and the colorectal tissues were used to detect the levels of UC-related inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, MPO, SOD, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23), IL-6/STAT3 inflammatory signaling pathway (iNOS, COX2, IL-6, GP130, L-17, and IL-23), and colorectal mucosal barrier-related regulatory factors (MUC2, XBP1s, and α-defensins) by ELISA or qRT-PCR.

Results.

DL reduced the colorectal inflammation histological assessment, decreased UC-related inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, MPO, SOD, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23), downregulated IL-6/STAT3 inflammatory signaling pathway (iNOS, COX2, IL-6, GP130, L-17, and IL-23), repaired the key colorectal mucosal barrier protein-MUC2, and inhibited the downstream pathway (XBP1s and α-defensin).

Conclusions.

DL possessed the potential of anti-inflammatory effect to treated colitis.

The protective mechanism of DL may involve in reducing inflammation and improving colorectal barrier function via downregulating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling.