Shen Zhuang1, Jia Zhong1, Qilv Zhou1, Yuan Zhong1, Ping Liu1, Zhongjie Liu2. 1. Division of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. 2. Division of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: liuzhongjiecau@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intestinal epithelial barrier and intestinal inflammation play indispensable roles in the development of intestinal diseases. The major aims of the current study were to investigate the potential of rhein, a major flavonoid compound isolated from Rheum rhabarbarum, in the treatment of intestinal diseases and its underlying mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: The protective role of rhein on intestinal epithelial barrier was evaluated in a monolayer of IEC-6 cells stimulated by TNF-α, while the anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in an IEC-6 cell model with LPS stimulation. RESULTS: Rhein inhibited the increase of phenol red flux and the decrease of TEER, as well as recovered the expression and distribution of ZO-1 and weakened MLC phosphorylation, MLCK expression and NF-κB activation. Meanwhile, LPS-stimulated IL-1β and IL-6 were down-regulated, expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase1 were weakened and NF-κB was inactivated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that rhein has potential therapeutic effects against intestinal diseases by maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intestinal epithelial barrier and intestinal inflammation play indispensable roles in the development of intestinal diseases. The major aims of the current study were to investigate the potential of rhein, a major flavonoid compound isolated from Rheum rhabarbarum, in the treatment of intestinal diseases and its underlying mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: The protective role of rhein on intestinal epithelial barrier was evaluated in a monolayer of IEC-6 cells stimulated by TNF-α, while the anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in an IEC-6 cell model with LPS stimulation. RESULTS: Rhein inhibited the increase of phenol red flux and the decrease of TEER, as well as recovered the expression and distribution of ZO-1 and weakened MLC phosphorylation, MLCK expression and NF-κB activation. Meanwhile, LPS-stimulated IL-1β and IL-6 were down-regulated, expression levels of TLR4, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase1 were weakened and NF-κB was inactivated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that rhein has potential therapeutic effects against intestinal diseases by maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
Authors: Pedro Gonçalves de Oliveira; Lara Termini; Edison Luiz Durigon; Ana Paula Lepique; Andrei C Sposito; Enrique Boccardo Journal: Med Hypotheses Date: 2020-06-01 Impact factor: 1.538