Daucosterol suppresses dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.03.062
• Publication Date: 2019-04-09T06:57:32Z
• Authors: Jin Jang; Su-Man Kim; Su-Min Yee; Eun-Mi Kim; Eun-Hee Lee; Ha-Rim Choi; Young-Sil Lee; Won-Kyung Yang; Han-Young Kim; Kun-Hoae Kim; Hyung-Sik Kang; Seung-Hyung Kim
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Colon; Dextran Sulfate; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Colitis; Sitosterols; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; 3. Good health; Killer Cells, Natural; Mice, Inbred C57BL; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Cytokines; Female; Lymph Nodes; Spleen

The effects of daucosterol have been identified in cancer therapy and neuronal diseases. However, the regulatory function of daucosterol in DSS-induced colitis has not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the immunological and therapeutic effects of daucosterol in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Unlike vehicle mice, mice pre- or post-treated with daucosterol showed inhibition of body weight loss and the decrease in the disease activity index (DAI). In addition, daucosterol treatment rescued the DSS-induced decrease in colon length and disruption of the epithelial lining. Furthermore, it reduced DSS-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), infiltration of macrophages, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Mice with colitis showed a decreased population of Foxp3+ cells, which was upregulated by daucosterol treatment. Furthermore, daucosterol increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and inhibited excessive IgA levels in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that daucosterol significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis, indicating the possibility of daucosterol as a therapeutic option for colitis.