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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicinal Active Dioscin in Treating IgA Nephropathy
Published on: October 13, 2023
Dioscin ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease by up-regulating miR-125a-5p to regulate macrophage polarization
Lingyan Shi1,2, Peichen Zhang3, Ruifang Jin2
1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Purpose:
Dioscin has been proven to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infection roles. However, the role of Dioscin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its related mechanisms is unclear and needs further study.
Methods:
The colitis model in mice was established. After Dioscin (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) treatment, the colon length was measured by a ruler. Histopathology, inflammatory cytokines, gut permeability, tight junction proteins, macrophage infiltration, macrophage polarization, and miR-125a-5p level were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), FITC-dextran, Western blot, and flow cytometry. In vitro experiments, after RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interleukin-4 (IL-4), were treated with Dioscin and miR-125a-5p inhibitor, miR-125a-5p level, cell vitality, inflammatory cytokines, and M1/M2 marker genes were measured by qRT-PCR and MTT assay.
Results:
Dioscin (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) relieved DSS-triggered colitis and restrained the serum and colon of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Meanwhile, different concentrations' Dioscin weakened M1 macrophage polarization but facilitated tight junction protein expressions, M2 macrophage polarization, and miR-125a-5p level in colitic mice. Moreover, miR-125a-5p inhibitor reversed the modulation of Dioscin on miR-125a-5p expression, cell vitality, and inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. We further discovered that Dioscin restrained M1 marker gene (CD16) expression while intensifying M2 marker genes (CD206 and Arginase-1) expressions in vitro, which was reversed by miR-125a-5p inhibitor.
Conclusion:
Dioscin modulated macrophage polarization by increasing miR-125a-5p, thereby improving the intestinal epithelial barrier function and reducing IBD.
Insights
Dioscin treatment improved gut barrier function in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating macrophage polarization via miR-125a-5p. This study clarifies Dioscin
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dioscin exhibits anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infection properties.
- The specific role and mechanisms of Dioscin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain largely uncharacterized.
- Understanding Dioscin's effects on IBD is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of Dioscin on experimental colitis, a model for IBD.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Dioscin's action, focusing on macrophage polarization and gut barrier integrity.
- To explore the role of miR-125a-5p in mediating Dioscin's effects on inflammation and intestinal health.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model of colitis was induced and treated with varying doses of Dioscin (20, 40, 80 mg/kg).
- Assessment included colon length, histopathology, inflammatory cytokine levels, gut permeability, tight junction proteins, and macrophage polarization (in vivo and in vitro).
- In vitro studies utilized LPS/IL-4-induced RAW264.7 cells treated with Dioscin and miR-125a-5p inhibitors to analyze cellular responses.
Main Results:
- Dioscin treatment significantly alleviated colitis symptoms, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved colon length in mice.
- Dioscin promoted M2 macrophage polarization, enhanced tight junction protein expression, and increased miR-125a-5p levels.
- In vitro, Dioscin modulated macrophage polarization (reduced M1, increased M2 markers), an effect reversed by miR-125a-5p inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Dioscin demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Dioscin ameliorates IBD by modulating macrophage polarization through the upregulation of miR-125a-5p.
- These mechanisms collectively enhance intestinal epithelial barrier function and reduce inflammation.
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