Indigo Naturalis ameliorates murine dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis via aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation

Indigo Naturalis (IN) is used as a traditional herbal medicine for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanisms of action of IN have not been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IN for ameliorating colonic inflammation. We further investigated the mechanisms of action of IN.

Colitis severity was assessed in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis models with or without the oral administration of IN or indigo, which is a known major component of IN. Colonic lamina propria (LP) mononuclear cells isolated from IN-treated mice were analyzed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. LP and splenic mononuclear cells cultured in vitro with IN or indigo were also analyzed. The role of the candidate receptor for indigo, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), was analyzed using Ahr-deficient mice.

Colitis severity was significantly ameliorated in the IN and indigo treatment groups compared with the control group. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin (Il)-10 and Il-22 in the LP lymphocytes were increased by IN treatment. The treatment of splenocytes with IN or indigo increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and resulted in the expansion of IL-10-producing CD4⁺ T cells and IL-22-producing CD3^-RORγt⁺ cells, but not CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells. The amelioration of colitis by IN or indigo was abrogated in Ahr-deficient mice, in association with diminished regulatory cytokine production.

IN and indigo ameliorated murine colitis through AhR signaling activation, suggesting that AhR could be a promising therapeutic target for UC.