Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
08:39
Murine Colitis Modeling using Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)
Published on: January 19, 2010
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Elaeocarpus braceanus Alleviate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice Through
Wen-Bo Feng1, Tong Liu1, Mu-Yao Liu1
1Hubei Key Laboratory of Industry Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Life and Health Sciences, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Extracellular vesicles from Elaeocarpus braceanus fruits (EBDEVs) show potential in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). These natural nanoparticles alleviate symptoms by repairing the gut barrier and reducing inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Plant-derived nanomedicine
- Extracellular vesicle research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with limited treatment options.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as therapeutic agents due to their biocompatibility and cargo delivery capabilities.
- Natural product-derived EVs offer a sustainable source for nanomedicine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles from Elaeocarpus braceanus fruits (EBDEVs).
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of EBDEVs in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC).
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of EBDEV action in alleviating UC.
Main Methods:
- EBDEVs were isolated using ultracentrifugation and characterized for physical and biochemical properties.
- In vitro anti-inflammatory effects were assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.
- In vivo efficacy was evaluated in a DSS-induced mouse model of acute UC, assessing disease severity, intestinal barrier function, inflammatory pathways, and gut microbiota.
Main Results:
- EBDEVs demonstrated a spherical morphology and were rich in lipids, flavonoids, and terpenoids.
- EBDEVs inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophages and ameliorated UC symptoms in mice, including weight loss and colon damage.
- EBDEVs restored intestinal barrier integrity, suppressed TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and modulated gut microbiota composition.
Conclusions:
- EBDEVs effectively alleviate DSS-induced UC in a mouse model.
- Therapeutic effects are attributed to intestinal barrier repair, inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways, and gut microbiota modulation.
- EBDEVs represent a promising natural nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis.
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