Lotus seed starch-chlorogenic acid complexes alleviated chronic colitis and linked cognitive dysfunction via gut...

This study aims to reveal the protective mechanism of lotus seed starch-chlorogenic acid complexes (A-LS-CA) at different doses on chronic colitis and cognitive dysfunction induced by Dextran sulfate sodium. Here, A-LS-CA alleviated the pathological symptoms of mice chronic colitis in a dose-dependent manner, including improving the disease activity index, the colon length and tissue damage. It was remarkable that 2 g/kg A-LS-CA reduced the mRNA expressions and protein levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB and TLR4 of the colon tissue in DSS-induced chronic colitis mice. In addition, 2 g/kg A-LS-CA enhanced the level of ZO-1 and Claudin-1, which were 1.75 and 1.63 folds higher than that of the model group, respectively. In particular, A-LS-CA reshaped the gut microbiota of mice with chronic colitis and promoted the production of key metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and tryptamine. Therefore, we speculated that A-LS-CA has a positive effect on gut microbiota and its metabolites, thereby alleviating behavioral disorders of mice with chronic colitis. In conclusion, these findings provide a research basis for starch-polyphenol complex to improve chronic colitis and cognitive dysfunction via gut-brain-axis balance.