Cui Lu-Jia, Yuan Wei, Chen Feng-Ying, Wang Yu-Xuan, Li Qiu-Min, Lin Cheng, Miao Xin-Pu
Department of Gastroenterology, Hainan General Hospital/Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Department of Emergency Surgery, Hainan General Hospital/Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
Ann Transl Med. 2022 Mar;10(6):347. doi: 10.21037/atm-22-877.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. There has been an increasing amount of research related to the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of natural plant substances in the treatment of recurrent UC. Rauwolfia verticillata var. Hainanensis is a medicinal plant that is native to Hainan Island, China. Some studies have documented that pectic polysaccharides (PPs) from Rauvolfia inhibited the progression of colon ulcers. However, their mechanisms of action have not been established. Studies have revealed that suppressing pyroptosis can attenuate the damage of experimental colitis. However, it is unclear whether PPs from Rauvolfia verticillata inhibit inflammation through pyroptosis. This study investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of PPs extracted from Rauvolfia verticillata on experimental UC in mice.
Male C57 mice (6-8 weeks old) were allocated into the control group, the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model group (DSS group), or the DSS with pectic polysaccharides treatment group (DSS + PP group). The body weights, rectal bleeding, and stool consistencies in the mice were observed, and the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated. Colon tissues were collected for pathological analysis by histological hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β were detected by immunohistochemistry. Pyroptosis was assessed by transmission electron microscopy.
UC in mice induced by DSS resulted in decreased general physical activity and body weight, increased DAI score, significant histological changes, inhibited caspase-1 and IL-1β expression, and promoted pyroptosis. These DSS-induced changes could be partially ameliorated by administration of PP.
PPs exerted an ameliorative effect on DSS-induced UC in mice by reducing pyroptosis.
溃疡性结肠炎（UC）是一种炎症性肠病，严重影响患者的生活质量。关于天然植物物质治疗复发性UC的疗效和机制的研究越来越多。海南萝芙木是一种原产于中国海南岛的药用植物。一些研究记录了萝芙木中的果胶多糖（PPs）可抑制结肠溃疡的进展。然而，它们的作用机制尚未明确。研究表明，抑制细胞焦亡可减轻实验性结肠炎的损伤。然而，尚不清楚海南萝芙木中的PPs是否通过细胞焦亡抑制炎症。本研究探讨了海南萝芙木提取的PPs对小鼠实验性UC的影响及潜在机制。
将6-8周龄雄性C57小鼠分为对照组、葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）诱导的UC模型组（DSS组）或DSS加果胶多糖治疗组（DSS + PP组）。观察小鼠的体重、直肠出血和粪便稠度，并计算疾病活动指数（DAI）评分。收集结肠组织进行苏木精和伊红（H&E）染色的病理分析。通过免疫组织化学检测半胱天冬酶-1（caspase-1）和白细胞介素（IL）-1β的水平。通过透射电子显微镜评估细胞焦亡。
DSS诱导的小鼠UC导致总体活动和体重下降、DAI评分增加、显著的组织学变化、caspase-1和IL-1β表达受到抑制以及细胞焦亡增加。给予PP可部分改善这些由DSS诱导的变化。
PPs通过减少细胞焦亡对DSS诱导的小鼠UC发挥改善作用。
