Chrysin Mitigates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Jejunal Inflammation and Barrier Dysfunction in Mice

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of chrysin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced jejunal injury in mice, focusing on tissue morphology, epithelial apoptosis, inflammation, and the gut microbiota.

Male C57BL/6JNarl mice (n = 24) were randomly divided into three groups. The control (CON) and LPS groups were fed a standard chow diet, whereas the LPS+CHY group received chow supplemented with 1% (w/w) chrysin. After 3 wk of dietary intervention, mice in the LPS and LPS+CHY groups were given an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg body weight), while the control mice received an equivalent volume of saline. Animals were sacrificed on day 23, and jejunal tissues, cecal contents, and feces were collected.

LPS administration induced marked disruption of jejunal morphology,  characterized by reduced villus height, villus area, and goblet cell numbers. Chrysin supplementation significantly attenuated these LPS-induced morphological alterations. Furthermore, the LPS+CHY group exhibited reduced apoptosis and levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in jejunal tissues. Chrysin treatment also increased cecal concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and valerate, which were accompanied by beneficial alterations in gut microbiota composition.

This study supports the potential of chrysin as a functional dietary compound for maintaining intestinal health under inflammatory stress. Furthermore, it provides evidence suggesting the involvement of microbiota-host metabolic interactions in flavonoid-mediated intestinal protection.