Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook polysaccharide ameliorates dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced colitis in mice via improving intestinal barrier function, modulating intestinal microbiota, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses

The ameliorative effect of Dendrobium fimbriatum polysaccharide (cDFPW1) on ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated using a dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced (DSS-induced) mouse model in the present study. The results showed that cDFPW1 effectively improved colitis in mice by ameliorating weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) and colonic pathological damage, and by protecting the intestinal barrier function integrity. Moreover, cDFPW1 modulated the composition and metabolism of intestinal microbiota through enhancing Romboutsia, Lactobacillus and Odoribacter, and reducing Parasutterella, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia and Acinetobacter in colitis mice. Notably, cDFPW1 significantly restored the homeostasis of Th17/regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expression of specific cytokines. Western blotting of colon tissues showed that cDFPW1 markedly up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-kappa B signaling. These results indicated that cDFPW1 possesses the potential of improving UC and its effect on palliating colitis may be connected with the regulation of Nrf2/NF-kappa B signaling.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that Dendrobium fimbriatum polysaccharide (cDFPW1) can improve ulcerative colitis by ameliorating weight loss, disease activity index, colonic pathological damage, protecting intestinal barrier function integrity, and modulating the composition and metabolism of intestinal microbiota. Moreover, cDFPW1 restored the homeostasis of Th17/regulatory T (Treg) cells and regulated Nrf2/NF-kappa B signaling in colitis mice.