Neferine, a natural alkaloid from Nelumbo nucifera, ameliorates experimental chronic ulcerative colitis in mice

Abstract

ObjectiveUlcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory disease, is closely associated with the development of colorectal cancer. Neferine is a natural alkaloid that possesses many therapeutic effects. Our previous studies showed that neferine showed a significant protective effect on the acute ulcerative colitis mouse model. Here, the protective role of neferine on chronic UC was investigated. MethodsA chronic mice UC model was established by employing dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and neferine was orally administrated. The disease activity index (DAI) scores were calculated. The levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were determined by ELISA kits. The pathological changes were evaluated by H&E staining. Protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. ResultsNeferine treatment significantly decreased the DAI scores, ameliorated pathological injuries, and reduced the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, the expressions of NF-κB p65, receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 and 3 (RIP1 and RIP3), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in colon tissues were suppressed by neferine. In addition, the decreased expression of caspase-8 and IκBα were restored by neferine. ConclusionNeferine protects chronic UC by regulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.