Shoichiro Kawai1, Hideki Iijima2, Shinichiro Shinzaki1, Satoshi Hiyama1,3, Toshio Yamaguchi1, Manabu Araki1, Shuko Iwatani1, Eri Shiraishi4, Akira Mukai4, Takahiro Inoue1, Yoshito Hayashi1, Masahiko Tsujii1,5, Daisuke Motooka6, Shota Nakamura6, Tetsuya Iida6, Tetsuo Takehara1. 1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. 2. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. hiijima@gh.med.osaka-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan. 4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sumitomo Hospital, Osaka, Japan. 5. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Higashiosaka City General Hospital, Higashiosaka, Japan. 6. Department of Infection Metagenomics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Indigo Naturalis (IN) is used as a traditional herbal medicine for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanisms of action of IN have not been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IN for ameliorating colonic inflammation. We further investigated the mechanisms of action of IN. METHODS: Colitis severity was assessed in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis models with or without the oral administration of IN or indigo, which is a known major component of IN. Colonic lamina propria (LP) mononuclear cells isolated from IN-treated mice were analyzed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. LP and splenic mononuclear cells cultured in vitro with IN or indigo were also analyzed. The role of the candidate receptor for indigo, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), was analyzed using Ahr-deficient mice. RESULTS: Colitis severity was significantly ameliorated in the IN and indigo treatment groups compared with the control group. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin (Il)-10 and Il-22 in the LP lymphocytes were increased by IN treatment. The treatment of splenocytes with IN or indigo increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and resulted in the expansion of IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells and IL-22-producing CD3-RORγt+ cells, but not CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. The amelioration of colitis by IN or indigo was abrogated in Ahr-deficient mice, in association with diminished regulatory cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: IN and indigo ameliorated murine colitis through AhR signaling activation, suggesting that AhR could be a promising therapeutic target for UC.
BACKGROUND:Indigo Naturalis (IN) is used as a traditional herbal medicine for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanisms of action of IN have not been clarified. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IN for ameliorating colonic inflammation. We further investigated the mechanisms of action of IN. METHODS:Colitis severity was assessed in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis models with or without the oral administration of IN or indigo, which is a known major component of IN. Colonic lamina propria (LP) mononuclear cells isolated from IN-treated mice were analyzed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and flow cytometry. LP and splenic mononuclear cells cultured in vitro with IN or indigo were also analyzed. The role of the candidate receptor for indigo, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), was analyzed using Ahr-deficient mice. RESULTS:Colitis severity was significantly ameliorated in the IN and indigo treatment groups compared with the control group. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin (Il)-10 and Il-22 in the LP lymphocytes were increased by IN treatment. The treatment of splenocytes with IN or indigo increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and resulted in the expansion of IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells and IL-22-producing CD3-RORγt+ cells, but not CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. The amelioration of colitis by IN or indigo was abrogated in Ahr-deficient mice, in association with diminished regulatory cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: IN and indigo ameliorated murinecolitis through AhR signaling activation, suggesting that AhR could be a promising therapeutic target for UC.
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