Esculentoside A Alleviates Intestinal Dysmotility in Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating H₂S/CSE and NO/nNOS Systems.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Esculentoside A (EsA), a saponin from Phytolacca esculenta, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
• The therapeutic potential of EsA in UC remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of EsA on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in a rat model.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving hydrogen sulfide (H2S)/cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and nitric oxide (NO)/neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) systems.

Main Methods:

• An in vivo UC rat model was established using DSS administration.
• Rats were treated with varying doses of EsA.
• In vitro studies assessed EsA's effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary intestinal neuronal cells.

Main Results:

• EsA treatment improved intestinal motility, body weight, and histological scores in DSS-induced UC rats.
• EsA significantly reduced serum levels of NO and H2S, and suppressed colon tissue expression of CSE, CBS, and nNOS.
• In vitro, EsA protected intestinal neuronal cells from LPS-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition, downregulating IL-6, TNF-α, CSE, CBS, and nNOS.

Conclusions:

• EsA demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis.
• EsA improves intestinal motility and suppresses inflammation in UC, potentially via modulation of H2S/CSE and NO/nNOS pathways.