Wheat Bran Polyphenols Ameliorate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Suppressing MAPK/NF-κB Inflammasome Pathways and Regulating Intestinal Microbiota

Abstract

Wheat bran (WB) is the primary by-product of wheat processing and contains a high concentration of bioactive substances such as polyphenols. This study analyzed the qualitative and quantitative components of polyphenols in wheat bran and their effects on ulcerative colitis (UC) using the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. The potential mechanism of wheat bran polyphenols (WBP) was also examined. Our findings indicate that the main polyphenol constituents of WBP were phenolic acids, including vanillic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Furthermore, WBP exerted remarkable protective effects against experimental colitis. This was achieved by reducing the severity of colitis and improving colon morphology. Additionally, WBP suppressed colonic inflammation via upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in colon tissues. Mechanistically, WBP ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. In addition, microbiome analysis results suggested that WBP modulated the alteration of gut microbiota caused by DSS, with an enhancement in the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and adjustments in the number of Helicobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group at the genus level. To conclude, the findings showed that WBP has excellent prospects in reducing colonic inflammation in UC mice.

Fabrication of the Rapid Self-Assembly Hydrogels Loaded with Luteolin: Their Structural Characteristics and Protection Effect on Ulcerative Colitis

“…The double supernatant was passed through a 0.22 µm filter membrane. The Agilent 7890B gas chromatography (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) system was used to detect the content of SCFAs on the Agilent 19091F-413 column [38].…”

Galangin Prevents Against Ethanol-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways in Mice and Caco-2 Cells

“…13 Moreover, the NF-κB pathway contributes to intestinal barrier impairment and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. 14 Protein kinases of the MAPK family, including JNK, ERK, and p38, accelerate inflammatory reactions and the release of inflammatory factors. Chen et al 15 have investigated the potential protective effects of L-theanine against intestinal TJ damage ignited by LPS through the p38 MAPK/NLRP3 pathway.…”

“…In a heightened inflammation context, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 results in its translocation into the nucleus, where it initiates the transcription of inflammatory factors that ultimately trigger irreparable inflammatory damage . Moreover, the NF-κB pathway contributes to intestinal barrier impairment and NLRP3 inflammasome activation . Protein kinases of the MAPK family, including JNK, ERK, and p38, accelerate inflammatory reactions and the release of inflammatory factors.…”

Polygonatum sibiricum Saponin Prevents Immune Dysfunction and Strengthens Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed BALB/c Mice

“…G-Rh2 can have synergistic anti-tumor effects with Cy by regulating fatty acid metabolism in NSCLC mice [ 10 ]. In addition, there are data to suggest that wheat bran polyphenols ameliorate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB inflammasome pathway [ 11 ], Polygonatum sibiricum saponin has been shown to reduce blood glucose by regulating the intestinal flora [ 12 ], and dandelion exhibits a protective effect against liver fibrosis and oxidative stress in rats [ 13 ]. These results suggest that the search for functional active substances in natural products has attracted widespread attention from nutritionists and biomedical researchers [ 7 , 14 ].…”