Strictosamide alleviates the inflammation in an acute ulcerative colitis (UC) model

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology
• Natural Products

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a major inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with significant health impacts.
• Strictosamide (STR), a natural alkaloid, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties relevant to inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of strictosamide (STR) in an acute model of ulcerative colitis (UC).
• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying STR's therapeutic effects in UC.

Main Methods:

• An acute UC model was established in mice using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).
• Mice were treated with varying concentrations of STR, followed by assessments of colonic pathology, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MPO, iNOS), and NF-κB signaling.
• In vitro studies utilized IEC6 and HT-29 cells to confirm STR's effects on inflammation and NF-κB inhibition.

Main Results:

• STR treatment significantly reduced colonic damage, decreased the disease activity index (DAI), and attenuated pathological alterations in UC mice.
• STR downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and inhibited MPO and iNOS expression.
• STR effectively suppressed NF-κB signaling pathway activation in both in vivo and in vitro models.

Conclusions:

• Strictosamide (STR) demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory and protective effects in experimental ulcerative colitis.
• STR ameliorates UC by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production and suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.
• STR presents a promising therapeutic candidate for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).