Protective effect of homogeneous polysaccharides of Wuguchong (HPW) on intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice

Abstract

Background In hospitalized patients, drug side effects usually trigger intestinal mucositis (IM), which in turn damages intestinal absorption and reduces the efficacy of treatment. It has been discovered that natural polysaccharides can relieve IM. In this study, we extracted and purified homogenous polysaccharides of Wuguchong (HPW), a traditional Chinese medicine, and explored the protective effect of HPW on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced IM. Methods and results First, we identified the physical and chemical properties of the extracted homogeneous polysaccharides. The molecular weight of HPW was 616 kDa, and it was composed of 14 monosaccharides. Then, a model of small IM induced by 5-FU (50 mg/kg) was established in mice to explore the effect and mechanism of HPW. The results showed that HPW effectively increased histological indicators such as villus height, crypt depth and goblet cell count. Moreover, HPW relieved intestinal barrier indicators such as D-Lac and diamine oxidase (DAO). Subsequently, western blotting was used to measure the expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and inflammatory proteins such as NF-κB (P65), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and COX-2. The results also indicated that HPW could reduce inflammation and protect the barrier at the molecular level. Finally, we investigated the influence of HPW on the levels of short-chain fatty acids, a metabolite of intestinal flora, in the faeces of mice. Conclusions HPW, which is a bioactive polysaccharide derived from insects, has protective effects on the intestinal mucosa, can relieve intestinal inflammation caused by drug side effects, and deserves further development and research.

Untargeted metabolomics revealed the regulatory effect of Maillard reaction products of ovalbumin with different degrees on the metabolism of colitis mice

“…Therefore, the increase of serum DAO can reflect the damage degree of the intestinal mucosa. 21 In addition, the plasma d -LAC level was initially proposed as a marker for the diagnosis of bacterial infection. In the case of intestinal barrier dysfunction, the levels would rise due to increased intestinal mucosal translocation.…”

“…The intestinal permeability was determined using the concentrations of DAO and d -LAC as mentioned in Shi et al , and also using ELISA kits. 21…”

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharide extracted from Wuguchong (maggot) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice

“…Moreover, recent research data demonstrate that polysaccharides extracted from some natural products have a positive effect in treating AD-like skin lesions in mice and humans ( Wu et al, 2011 ; Nam et al, 2013 ; Lin et al, 2017 ; Ashigai et al, 2018 ; Motoyama et al, 2018 ; Tian et al, 2019 ). In previous studies, the polysaccharide extracted from Wuguchong (PEW) was found as a bioactive ingredient to prevent obesity and relieve intestinal inflammation caused by drug side effects, partly through the modulation of inflammatory responses ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Shi et al, 2022 ). However, the effect of PEW on AD has not been investigated so far.…”

“…Recently, the polysaccharide extracted from Wuguchong (PEW) was found to be useful in reducing high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through regulation of the intestinal microbiota composition ( Wang et al, 2020 ). Besides, homogeneous polysaccharides of Wuguchong showed a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa and can relieve 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal inflammation in mice ( Shi et al, 2022 ). As previously discussed, some polysaccharides were proven to be effective in ameliorating AD symptoms in mice or humans.…”

Network analysis and experimental pharmacology study explore the protective effects of Isoliquiritigenin on 5-fluorouracil-Induced intestinal mucositis

“…TNFα, in turn, activates NF-κB. This positive feedback mechanism results in signal amplification and increased production of inflammatory mediators, which eventually destroy the intestinal mucosal barrier and lead to the formation of mucosal ulcers ( Huang et al, 2022 ; Shi et al, 2022 ).…”