Abstract:
Background:
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by
abnormal immune system reactions resulting in inflammation and ulcers in
the large intestine. Phillygenin (PHI) is a natural compound found in
Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, known for its various bioactivities,
including anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and antipyretic activities.
However, the potential anti-inflammatory effects of PHI on UC and its
underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood.
Methods:
In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of PHI on acute
UC induced by DSS and TNBS. We evaluated the effects of PHI on disease
activity index, body weight, mortality, intestinal mucosal barrier,
cytokine secretion, and macrophage infiltration into colon tissue using
various techniques such as flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ELISA,
RT-qPCR, and Western blotting.
Results:
Our findings revealed that PHI has therapeutic properties in UC
treatment. PHI was able to maintain body weight, reduce disease activity
index and mortality, restore the intestinal mucosal barrier, and inhibit
cytokine secretion. Flow cytometry assay and immunofluorescence
indicated that PHI reduces macrophage infiltration into colon tissue.
Additionally, both in vivo and in vitro results suggested that PHI may
exert anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB
pathway, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, PHI possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has the
potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of UC. Our study
provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of PHI’s therapeutic
effects and highlights the potential for further research in developing
PHI-based treatments for UC.
Keywords : ulcerative colitis, Phillygenin, macrophages, NLRP3
inflammasome