Baicalin alleviates TNBS-induced colitis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway activation

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic immunological disorders of the intestinal tract characterized by persistent inflammation. Baicalin, a type of flavonoid, has exhibited a wide range of pharmacological activities, including immunomodulation and anti-inflammation. However, little is known about the therapeutic role of baicalin in IBD. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether baicalin could be a therapeutic drug of IBD and investigate its specific mechanisms. In the present study, the results revealed that baicalin not only significantly alleviated TNBS-induced colitis by reducing the release of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta and increasing the level of IL-10, but promoted the expression of tight-junction proteins ZO-1 and beta-catenin, which may have been achieved by blockage of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.In vitro, the results demonstrated that baicalin clearly inhibited the release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta and promoted the expression of IL-10 in LPS-induced HT-29 cells, and significantly decreased LPS-induced HT-29 cell apoptosis by blockage of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present research revealed for the first time that baicalin acted as a therapeutic drug in IBD by suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.