Gut microbiota mediates the anti-colitis effects of polysaccharides derived from Kishinouye in mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is closely associated with the disturbance of gut microbiota. Crude polysaccharide-rich extract from Kishinouye has been proven to alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-triggered colitis. However, it remains unclear whether the polysaccharides from (REP) in the extract play a predominant role in ameliorating colitis and whether gut microbiota mediates the beneficial effect of REP. Herein, we aimed to investigate the anti-colitis effects of REP and its mechanisms and to explore the role of REP-modulated gut microbiota in alleviating colitis in mice. Oral REP supplementation ameliorated the symptoms, inflammatory responses, colonic damage and gut microbial dysbiosis in colitic mice. REP significantly enriched SCFA-producing bacteria such as and probiotics such as and restored the level of SCFAs especially butyric acid and propionic acid. Next, we found that transplantation of microbiota from REP-treated mice alleviated DSS-induced acute colitis, evidenced by improved gut barrier integrity and lower inflammation compared with mice receiving microbiota from control mice. Notably, dramatically enriched , and SCFA-producing bacteria including and were found in mice receiving microbiota from the REP-treated donor mice. Lastly, the protective effect of REP supplementation on colitis was abolished in the antibiotic-treated mice. Overall, our findings suggest that REP could alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the imbalance of the microbiome. The polysaccharides of Kishinouye have the potential to be developed into promising prebiotic agents for rectifying dysbiosis of gut microbiota and preventing UC.