Coix Seed Diet Ameliorates Immune Function Disorders in Experimental Colitis Mice.

Area of Science:

• * Nutritional Science
• * Immunology
• * Gastroenterology

Background:

• * Coix seed is a traditional Chinese functional food with known clinical benefits for ulcerative colitis.
• * The precise mechanisms underlying Coix seed's protective effects against colitis are not fully understood.
• * Investigating Coix seed's impact on experimental colitis models is crucial for elucidating its therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the protective effects of a Coix seed-based diet on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice.
• * To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, including immune regulation, through network pharmacology and cellular analysis.
• * To validate the therapeutic potential of Coix seed as a dietary intervention for colitis.

Main Methods:

• * Establishment of an experimental colitis model in mice using 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration.
• * Dietary intervention groups included control, DSS model, Coix seed feed, and positive control.
• * Network pharmacology analysis and assessment of T-lymphocyte subsets and innate immune cell distribution in colon tissue.

Main Results:

• * Coix seed feed significantly alleviated colitis symptoms and reduced pathological scores in mice.
• * The Coix seed diet helped maintain normal complete blood counts and reduced inflammatory cytokine secretion.
• * Network pharmacology identified T-cell regulation as a key target, supported by observed changes in immune cell populations.

Conclusions:

• * Coix seed demonstrates significant protective effects against experimental colitis in mice.
• * The therapeutic mechanism of Coix seed in colitis may involve the regulation of T-cell responses and innate immunity.
• * Coix seed holds promise as a functional food for managing inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.