Sanhuang Shu'ai decoction alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via regulation of gut microbiota, inflammatory mediators and cytokines

Background: Sanhuangshu'ai decoction (SH), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has been safely used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and other inflammatory diseases with little side effect and low cost for thousands of years. However, its mechanism remains elusive. This study was designed to investigate the anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) activity of SH and mechanism by detecting its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and intervention effects of intestinal flora with the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Methods: The DSS-induced colitis mice was orally administered SH for 1 week with 0.8 or 1.6 g kg(-1) d(-1) dosage. A clinical disease activity score was evaluated daily. The colonic tissues of the mice were collected and prepared to detect its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, intervention effects of intestinal flora and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vivo, cytotoxicity and ROS influencing effects in vitro. Histological colitis severity and expression of cytokines were also determined. Results: Oral administration of SH significantly prevented the development of colitis. It reduced the expression of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the colon. Moreover, SH administration alleviated the oxidative stress in the colon of DSS-induced colitis mice, evidenced by the decrease of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and increase of ROS level. Furthermore, SH can prevent the decrease of Lactobacillus sp. and population abundance of intestinal flora caused by DSS. Conclusion: SH significantly ameliorates the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis mice and the potential mechanism of SH may involve in multiple kinds of metabolic pathway including the regulation of gut microbiota, inflammatory mediators and cytokines.