Ginsenoside Rb3 Mitigates Murine Ulcerative Colitis by Modulating Intestinal Microflora and Short-Chain Fatty Acids

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progression is linked to ecological dysregulation in the gut.
• Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is a common model for studying IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rb3 (GR3) in ameliorating DSS-induced colitis.
• To determine if GR3 exerts its effects by modulating the gut microbiota.

Main Methods:

• Oral administration of GR3 (5 mg/kg) to mice with DSS-induced colitis.
• Evaluation of therapeutic effects using histological analysis, ELISA, and Western blotting.
• Assessment of gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism.

Main Results:

• GR3 treatment significantly alleviated colitis symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, and colonic shortening.
• GR3 elevated tight junction protein expression (occludin, zonula occludens-1), reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-6).
• GR3 modulated gut microbiota, increasing *Lactobacillus* and decreasing *Bacillus*, and elevated acetic and butyric acid levels.

Conclusions:

• Ginsenoside Rb3 ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by improving the intestinal barrier function and reducing inflammation.
• GR3's therapeutic effects are associated with reshaping the gut microbiota and restoring SCFA metabolism.