Polysaccharides from Paecilomyces hepiali Prevent Acute Colitis in Association with Modulating Gut Microbiota and Treg/Th17 Immune Balance in Mice

Cordyceps exopolysaccharide (CEP) has shown emerging potential in adjustment of gut microbiota and immune cell function. In this study, a water-soluble CEP with a molecular weight of 58.14 kDa was extracted from the fermentation broth of Paecilomyces hepiali, an endophytic fungus of Cordyceps sinensis. Our results indicated that Paecilomyces hepiali polysaccharide (PHP) showed significantly preventive potential on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, which can prevent colon shortening, reduce intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) destruction, suppress inflammatory cell infiltration, and regulate the balance between regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper type 17 (Th17) cells. Meanwhile, the disturbed gut microbiota was partially restored after PHP treatment. Further Pearson correlation coefficient analyses exhibited that the alteration of the gut microbiota was significantly related to adjustment of the IEC barrier and Treg/Th17 balance. In conclusion, all findings proposed that purified PHP has the potential to develop into a promising agent for colitis prevention and adjuvant therapy via maintaining intestinal homeostasis of gut microbiota and immune system.

Automated summary

A water-soluble Cordyceps exopolysaccharide (CEP) was extracted from the fermentation broth of Paecilomyces hepiali and showed preventive potential on DSS-induced colitis in mice. It prevented colon shortening, reduced intestinal epithelial cell destruction, suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration, and regulated the balance between regulatory T cells and Th17 cells. The disturbed gut microbiota was partially restored after treatment with Paecilomyces hepiali polysaccharide (PHP). The findings suggest that purified PHP has the potential to be a promising agent for colitis prevention and adjuvant therapy by maintaining intestinal homeostasis of gut microbiota and immune system.