Orally administered aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus ameliorates acute inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 143; no. 2; pp. 524 - 532
• Main Authors: Mishra, Siddhartha Kumar, Kang, Ju-Hee, Kim, Dong-Kyu, Oh, Seung Hyun, Kim, Mi Kyung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 28.09.2012
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-inflammatory; anti-inflammatory activity; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Basidiomycota; body weight; colitis; Colitis - chemically induced; Colitis - drug therapy; Colitis - metabolism; Colitis - pathology; colon; Complex Mixtures - chemistry; Complex Mixtures - pharmacology; Complex Mixtures - therapeutic use; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines suppression; dextran; Dextran Sulfate; drinking water; edema; Experimental colitis; Female; Fungal Proteins - analysis; gene expression; inflammation; Inonotus obliquus; interferon-gamma; interleukin-1; interleukin-6; mechanism of action; messenger RNA; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; mushrooms; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; oral administration; Peroxidase - metabolism; Phenols - analysis; Polysaccharides - analysis; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; sodium sulfate; traditional medicine; tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL; DSS; IOAE; IBD; IRS; MPO; UC; Experimental colitis; Inonotus obliquus; IFN-γ; Cytokines suppression; TNF-α; RT-PCR; iNOS; Anti-inflammatory
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.008

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat several disorders through its various biological functions. I. obliquus is claimed to produce general immune-potentiating and strengthening, antiinflammatory, and antitumor properties, but its effects on intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis) are clearly not understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the effects and mode of action of an aqueous extract of I. obliquus (IOAE) on experimental colitis in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female 5-week-C57BL/6 mice were randomized into groups differing in treatment conditions (prevention and treatment) and doses of IOAE (50 and 100mg/kg body weight). Mice were exposed to DSS (2%) in their drinking water over 7 day to induce acute intestinal inflammation. In colon tissues, we evaluated histological changes by hematoxylin and eosin staining, levels of iNOS by immuno-histochemical staining, and neutrophil influx by myeloperoxidase assay. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Histological examinations indicated that IOAE suppressed edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. IOAE markedly attenuated DSS-induced iNOS levels and myeloperoxidase accumulation in colon tissues, demonstrating its suppressive effect on infiltration of immune cells. In addition, IOAE significantly inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by DSS in colon tissues. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest anti-inflammatory effect of IOAE at colorectal sites due to down-regulation of the expression of inflammatory mediators. Suppression of TNF-α and iNOS together with IL-1β by IOAE denotes that it might be a useful supplement in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease.