In vivo immunostimulatory activity of Centella asiatica extract on the intestinal immune system in native C3H/HeN...

In our previous study, we demonstrated the colitis-alleviating effects of Centella asiatica hot-water extract (CA-HE) in an inflammatory bowel disease mouse model. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate its potential to activate intestinal immunity via Peyer's patch (PP)-mediated mechanisms and serve as a functional agent for maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis.

Four-week oral administration of CA-HE induced no toxicological effects and significantly upregulated hematopoietic (interleukin-4, -6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and immunoglobulin A (IgA)-inducing (IL-10 and tumor growth factor-β) factors derived from PPs. These immunological changes were also observed in the ileum and serum, contributing to bone marrow cell proliferation. In addition, CA-HE promoted IgA production in the PPs, ileum, serum, and feces. Histological analysis further revealed an increased number and size of germinal centers. Finally, CA-HE beneficially modulated the intestinal environment by increasing cecal short-chain fatty acid levels.

Our results demonstrate that CA-HE activates the intestinal immune system via PP-mediated immunomodulation. Taken together, the findings indicate that CA-HE may serve as a multifunctional agent for use in functional foods or pharmaceuticals that aim to maintain intestinal immune homeostasis. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.