Polysaccharide from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviates ulcerative colitis in mice by maintaining the intestinal barrier integrity via MLC/Notch signaling

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that seriously impacts human health. So far, little information has been reported on the possible benefits of polysaccharides from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBGP) in alleviating colitis. Therefore, our study investigated the potential therapeutic effects of SBGP on mice with DSS-induced colitis. Results showed that SBGP administration ameliorated the severity of clinical symptoms and enhanced immunomodulatory effects in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice. Additionally, SBGP was found to regulate the inflammatory response, improve mucosal barrier integrity, and maintain tight junctions in the colonic epithelium. Furthermore, SBGP was found to restrain the activation of Notch and MLCK/MLC signaling pathways, which play important roles in inflammation and epithelial barrier homeostasis. These findings suggest that SBGP may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of colitis and other IBD.