oxysophocarpine and Colitis--Ulcerative

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation-related disease with a high recurrence risk. Oxysophocarpine (OSC) is a traditional Chinese medicine isolated from legumes and exerts vital functions on many human diseases. However, the OSC's role in ulcerative colitis has not been fully elucidated. This research aimed to investigate the OSC's impact on ulcerative colitis and its mechanisms.. A mouse model of ulcerative colitis was induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). The effect of OSC on ulcerative colitis was examined using Disease Activity Index detection, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the mechanism of OSC in ulcerative colitis was assessed by immunohistochemistry assay, Western blot, HE staining, and ELISA.. For the OSC's function in ulcerative colitis, OSC increased the mice weight, decreased Disease Activity Index scores, and alleviated colitis cell infiltration and epithelial cell destruction in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis. Also, OSC mitigated oxidative stress (decreased PGE2, MPO levels, and increased SOD levels) and inflammation (decreased IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β levels) in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis. For the OSC's mechanism in ulcerative colitis, OSC inhibited the level of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated Factor 6 (TRAF6) and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). TRAF6 overexpression abolished the effect of OSC on DSS-induced colon injury and its associated oxidative stress and inflammatory properties in ulcerative colitis.. OSC decreased the TRAF6 level to reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory factors secretion in mice with DSS induced-ulcerative colitis.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Colitis, Ulcerative; Colon; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Inflammation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Oxidative Stress; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6

Sophora alopecuroides L., a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, has been widely used for treating enteritis and bacillary dysentery for many years. Sophocarpine is a major ingredient of S. alopecuroides L. and has a wide range of pharmacological effects.. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of sophocarpine for treating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice, a well-characterized murine model of ulcerative colitis. Experimental colitis was induced in these mice by dissolving 5% DSS in their drinking water for 7 days and sophocarpine (60, 30, and 15 mg/kg of body weight) and sulfasalazine (520 mg/kg) were administered orally once a day for 7 days.. Sophocarpine significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis as identified by a reduced disease activity index and wet weight of colons as well as recovery of body weight. Furthermore, the oral administration of sophocarpine significantly decreased myeloperoxidase activity and the level of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 in serum (P < 0.01), while there was no significant effect on the level of IL-4.. In conclusion, sophocarpine significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Based upon our results, we suggest that sophocarpine is an effective agent for treating colonic inflammation.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Colitis, Ulcerative; Colon; Cytokines; Dextran Sulfate; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-6; Interleukins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Peroxidase