Fruit of Rosa odorata Sweet var. gigantea (Coll. et Hemsl.) Rehd. et Wils Attenuates DSS-induced Ulcerative Colitis by Adjusting Nrf2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Rosa odorata Sweet var. gigantean (Coll. et Hemsl.) Rehd. et Wils (FOE), a sort of ethnodrug from the Yi nationality called “GU-GONG-GUO,” the root of which has been shown to have the effect of relieving diarrhea with astringents. Whether fruit extract (FOE) has therapeutic properties for related intestinal diseases is unclear.

The study dedicates to expounding the results and mechanisms of FOE for treating ulcerative colitis (UC).

we used dextran sulfate sodium to induce UC in vivo and lipopolysaccharide to stimulate macrophage in vitro for the purpose of exploring and determining the effectiveness and potential mechanism of action of FOE.

The weight loss ratio and Disease activity index score of FOE administration groups were obviously lower and the colon tissue morphology was significantly relieved. The levels of various proinflammatory cytokines in colon tissue were evaluated to be decreased. Meanwhile, the FOE administration group also alters oxidative stress factor levels. The levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein were once distinctly up-regulated, whereas the levels of NF-κB p65, p-IKK α/β, and Keap1 were dose-independently and prominently suppressed by FOE administration. In vitro, FOE significantly reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited the oxidant stress injury in macrophage cells induced by macrophage. The relative expressions of NF-κB p65, p-IKK α/β, and Keap1 proteins in FOE groups were memorably down-regulated, while the Nrf2 and HO-1 levels presented as a contrary tendency.

These results indicated that FOE has shown potential therapeutic efficacy on UC and might be considered an effective anti-inflammatory agent from natural sources.