Apple peel polyphenols reduce mitochondrial dysfunction in mice with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Nutraceuticals

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic immune disorders requiring long-term medication.
• Natural product-based therapies are emerging as potential interventions for IBD.
• Dried apple peel powder (DAPP) is a natural product with potential therapeutic benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of DAPP on experimental colitis.
• To characterize the mechanisms of action of DAPP, particularly its impact on mitochondrial function.
• To evaluate DAPP's efficacy in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced murine model of IBD.

Main Methods:

• Induction of colitis in mice using 2.5% DSS for 10 days.
• Administration of DAPP at doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day pre- and post-colitis induction.
• Assessment of histological lesions, macroscopic parameters, clinical signs, inflammatory cell infiltration, oxidative stress markers, and mitochondrial functions.

Main Results:

• DAPP (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) limited DSS-induced histological damage and improved clinical outcomes.
• DAPP reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and counteracted inflammation and oxidative stress.
• DAPP partially restored mitochondrial abnormalities, including size, density, redox homeostasis, energy production, and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• DAPP exhibits significant preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental colitis.
• DAPP's mechanisms involve counteracting inflammation and oxidative stress through mitochondrial restoration.
• DAPP is a potential candidate for further research in IBD prevention and treatment.