Licorice Flavonoid Extract Ameliorates Intestine Damage in Ulcerative Colitis via MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Modulation and...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with unknown causes.
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
• The specific mechanisms of licorice in UC treatment require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of licorice flavonoid extract (LF) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of UC.
• To elucidate the underlying anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms of LF.
• To assess the impact of LF on gut microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

• Oral administration of LF to DSS-induced UC mice.
• Evaluation of disease activity indices, colon length, and histopathology.
• Measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., MAPK, NF-κB p65) and PPARγ expression.
• Analysis of gut microbial diversity and composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.
• Chemical characterization of LF to identify key flavonoid compounds.

Main Results:

• LF administration significantly reduced UC disease severity and colon damage.
• LF suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation.
• LF treatment upregulated PPARγ expression and restored gut microbial diversity, increasing beneficial bacteria.
• Fifteen flavonoid compounds were identified as the primary active components in LF.

Conclusions:

• Licorice flavonoid extract demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis.
• LF mitigates UC through a combination of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and gut microbiota-regulating effects.
• LF represents a promising natural therapeutic agent for managing UC.