Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Chinese Herbal Retention Enema for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Published on: May 16, 2025
A polysaccharide from cultured mycelium of Hericium erinaceus relieves ulcerative colitis by counteracting oxidative
Dandan Wang1, Yanqiu Zhang2, Shuang Yang3
1Affiliated Hospital, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, China.
Abstract:
EP-1 is a polysaccharide with a molecular weight of approximately 3100 Da, which is extracted from the cultured mycelium of Hericium erinaceus. Its anti-ulcerative colitis activity was evaluated in experimental systems using rats with ulcerative colitis and Caco-2 cells as models for experimentation. Our results showed that the treatment of EP-1 could increase SOD enzyme activity as well as decrease ROS content and oxidative damage both in vivo and in vitro. As a consequence, mitochondria function improved significantly, indicated by the increase of oxygen consumption and ATP production. In addition, increased respiration activity accelerated the elimination of excessive ROS substrate and enhanced bioenergy generation. Finally, upon treatment with EP-1, apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells was reduced and UC was relieved accordingly. Thus, EP-1 shows potential for the development of new functional foods and drugs, especially in regard to treating ulcerative colitis.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes
Oxidation Numbers

