Classical prescription Huanglian Decoction relieves ulcerative colitis via maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and modulating gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has affected an increasing number of people globally, with still limited clinical success. Huanglian Decoction (HLD) is a famous classical prescription documented for alleviating gastrointestinal disorders with unexplored therapeutic effects and mechanisms.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of HLD in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice.

METHODS

The efficacy and safety of HLD were evaluated in a well-established DSS-induced colitis mice model. Disease progression was monitored via clinical symptoms, histopathological examination, biochemical assays, and epithelial barrier function evaluation.

RESULTS

HLD alleviated DSS-induced colitis symptoms, reversed colon length reduction, reduced histological injury, downregulated the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, maintained the tight distribution of ZO-1/occludin-1 and the normal level of β-catenin, concurrent with apoptosis reduction in the colonic epithelium. After HLD treatment, the DSS-induced gut dysbiosis was modulated, and the gut microbiota achieved a new equilibrium state.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that HLD may present a potential remedy for UC treatment, providing evidence for further developing Chinese classical prescriptions.