Oral administration of Korean propolis extract ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflammation. Although IBD is usually treated with anti-inflammatory agents, most of these treatments have limited efficacy. Propolis is a viscous mixture that honeybees produce by mixing saliva and honeycomb with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. Although propolis has proved to ameliorate several inflammatory disorders, its therapeutic properties vary by geographical location, plant resources, bee species, and the solvents used in the extraction. In this study, we investigated the effects of Korean propolis in BALB/c mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Korean propolis extract was diluted in drinking water, and the BALB/c mice were given DSS for 7 days and Korean propolis for 17 days. The mice were sacrificed on day 17. In the DSS-induced colitis model, Korean propolis significantly decreased the severity of colitis, as assessed by body weight, spleen weight, and colonic length. Furthermore, Korean propolis induced the reduction of the inflammatory cytokine KC, infiltration of immune cells, and colonic hyperplasia in mice with DSS-induced colitis. The Korean propolis also decreased the loss of goblet cells and antibody-reactivity to inflammatory markers in the colons of mice administered DSS. These results demonstrate for the first time that Korean propolis has an ameliorative effect on DSS-induced colonic inflammation in BALB/c mice.

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Extract Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Acute Experimental Colitis by Improving Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Compositions in Mice

“…Other researchers have also reported that it is possible to induce a mouse model of acute experimental colitis models using methods similar to those reported in this study [39,40]. A series of studies have shown that food components have favorable ameliorative effects on acute colitis [8][9][10][11][12]. We conducted the first study on the attenuation of acute experimental colitis by OE.…”

“…These alternative therapies are of great interest because of their low side effects [7]. Among these, algal oil [8], propolis extract [9], peptides derived from tuna [10], taurine [11], and astragalin [12] have been reported to exert protective effects against experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Thus, the potential exists for IBD patients to have a greater variety of substances that are effective, in the form of alternative treatments.…”

Protective Effect of Dietary Polysaccharides from Yellow Passion Fruit Peel on DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice

“…A handful of studies have already demonstrated that DSS-induced colonic damage is related to decreased gastric mucus content and secretion [ 33 ]. Therefore, we next evaluated if the protective effect of SDF could be associated with the maintenance of the colon's protective mucus barrier.…”

“…Stress. The inflammatory damage induced by DSS brought about the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, generating excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species with a subsequent increase in oxidative stress [33]. Therefore, we measured the GSH levels and SOD activity to quantify these parameters.…”

“…Mice. Colonic damage induced by oral administration of DSS includes the destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier and is directly related to the disease progression [33]. Therefore, the colons were collected at the end of the experiment and processed for histological analysis.…”