l-Ergothioneine Exhibits Protective Effects against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the intestinal tract in which excessive activation of inflammatory response is correlated. l-Ergothioneine (EGT) widely existing in mushrooms has various physiological activities. In this study, the protective effects of EGT on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice were investigated. Results: It was observed that EGT administration, especially at the high dose level, prevented the body weight loss, the colon shortening, and the increase in disease activity index and spleen index caused by DSS. Moreover, EGT supplementation attenuated DSS-induced gut barrier damage by enhancing the expression of tight-junction protein and recovering the loss of gut mucus layer. Furthermore, EGT considerably decreased the colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity induced by DSS, but no significant differences were observed in the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissues. Additionally, EGT downregulated the populations of CD4⁺ T cells and macrophages, indicating that EGT stabilized the immune response caused by DSS. Conclusion: Together these results suggest that EGT can alleviate DSS-induced colitis and provide important insights concerning the potential anticolitis activity of such food products.