Preventive Effect of Ecklonia cava Extract on DSS-Induced Colitis by Elevating Intestinal Barrier Function and Improving Pathogenic Inflammation

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a complex gastrointestinal disorder with a multifactorial etiology, including environmental triggers, autoimmune mechanisms, and genetic predisposition. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies for IBD, its associated mortality rate continues to rise, which is often attributed to unforeseen side effects of conventional treatments. In this context, we explored the potential of Ecklonia cava extract (ECE), derived from an edible marine alga known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in mitigating IBD. This study investigated the effectiveness of ECE as a preventive agent in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Our findings revealed that pretreatment with ECE significantly ameliorated colitis severity, as evidenced by increased colon length, reduced spleen weight, and histological improvements demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, ECE significantly attenuated the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and mediators and the infiltration of immune cells known to be prominent features of colitis in mice. Notably, ECE alleviated dysbiosis of intestinal microflora and aided in the recovery of damaged intestinal mucosa. Mechanistically, ECE exhibited protective effects against pathogenic colitis by inhibiting the NLRP3/NF-κB pathways known to be pivotal regulators in the inflammatory signaling cascade. These compelling results suggest that ECE holds promise as a potential candidate for IBD prevention. It might be developed into a functional food for promoting gastrointestinal health. This research sheds light on the preventive potential of natural compounds like ECE in the management of IBD, offering a safer and more effective approach to combating this challenging disease.

Co-Treatment with Phlorotannin and Extracellular Vesicles from Ecklonia cava Inhibits UV-Induced Melanogenesis

“…UV radiation induces NF-κB activation, which eventually activates MMPs [86,87]. E. cava extract was previously shown to reduce the effect of NLRP3/NF-κB pathway activation and inflammation in colitis [68]. In another study, dioxinodehydroeckol from E. cava inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway [88].…”

“…Beta-actin bands were used to demonstrate equivalent loading control. Each group was compared with the control sample [68].…”

Phlorotannins Isolated from Eisenia bicyclis and Lactobacillus casei Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice through the AhR Pathway

“…A previous study administered dieckol at 5-15 mg/kg bw in DSS-induced colitis animal experiments, revealing efficacy against inflammation even at lower concentrations [11,66]. Additionally, another DSS mouse model using a phlorotannin-rich Ecklonia cava extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects ranging from 50 mg/kg bw up to 200 mg/kg bw [30]. In this study, the concentration of lactic acid bacteria was determined based on previous research, where a notable anti-inflammatory effect was observed after feeding Lactobacillus plantarum at a concentration of 1 × 10 9 CFU/mL for 10 days [67,68].…”

“…Following a one-week acclimatization period, the mice were randomly divided into five groups: control; dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) control; DTA (DSS + TA); DLC (DSS + LC); and DTL (DSS + TA + LC) (n = 8 per group). In the DTA and DTL groups, extract EB-EtOAc (TA) was administered by oral gavage for 4 weeks at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg body weight at 100 µL [30]. Conversely, the control, DSS, and DLC groups received 100 µL of PBS.…”