Therapeutic effect and mechanism of Ento-PB on ulcerative colitis in BALB/c mice induced by sodium dextran sulfate

Abstract

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Ento-PB containing Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus) (Blattidae) and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. (Compositae) has great potential for treating inflammation. Thus, this study aimed to explore the pharmacodynamic effect of Ento-PB on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in BALB/c mice, and its effects on immune function, JAK2/STAT3-related signaling pathways and intestinal flora in UC mice. It was identified that the extract Ento-PB mainly contained 20 compounds, accounting for 78.50 % of the total peak area. Compared with the model group, each dose group of Ento-PB could reduce the DAI score, colon index, CMDI score and colon HS score of mice to varying degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Ento-PB can reduce the content of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ in serum and IL-7 and IL-17 in colonic tissue, and increase IL-2, IL-10 in serum and EGF in colonic mucosa, TGF-β1 expression level (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In conclusion, Ento-PB has a good therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC mice. Its mechanism of action may be to up-regulate the levels of IL-2, IL-10, EGF, IL-22 and TGF-β1, and down-regulate the levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ, IL-7 and IL-17 in UC mice. This provides sufficient experimental basis for the clinical treatment of UC with Ento-PB.

Keywords

• Periplaneta americana
• Taraxacum mongolicum
• Ulcerative colitis
• Inflammatory cytokines