Protective Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides and Capsaicin in Rats With Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Anti-inflammation and Antioxidation

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease in the colon, and the prevalence of UC is increasing worldwide. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) from wolfberry extract has immunomodulatory effects, and act as a prebiotics candidate. Capsaicin (CAP) as an active ingredient of chili peppers has the potential for anti-inflammation and antioxidation. This study investigated the effects of LBP and CAP on anti-inflammation and antioxidation in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, UC (DSS), UC treated with 100 mg/kg bw LBP (LBP), UC treated with 12 mg/kg bw CAP (CAP), and UC treated with a combination of 50 mg/kg bw LBP and 6 mg/kg bw CAP (MIX) groups. The treatment of LBP and/or CAP was daily given by oral gavage from week 1 to week 4, and UC was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water for 6 days during week 3. Results The DSS group significantly increased disease activity index (DAI) scores, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the colon, and serum lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared with the control group. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the serum were significantly decreased in the DSS group. The LBP, CAP, and MIX groups significantly decreased DAI scores on day 6 during the DSS-induced period. Compared with the DSS group, the LBP group significantly decreased serum IL-6 and serum MDA levels, but increased serum CAT activity. The CAP group significantly decreased serum IL-6 levels. The MIX group significantly reduced serum IL-6 and colon TNF-α levels, but elevated serum SOD activity. Conclusions The results suggest that administration of LBP and/or CAP attenuate DSS-induced UC symptoms in rats through the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Funding Sources This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (grant no. MOST 108–2320-B-038–052-MY3).