Colitis causes destruction of the intestinal mucus layer and increases intestinal inflammation. The use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents derived from natural sources has been recently highlighted as a new approach for the treatment of colitis. Oxyresveratrol (OXY) is an antioxidant known to have various beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity, and antiviral activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of OXY in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis. OXY ameliorated DSS-induced colitis and repaired damaged intestinal mucosa. OXY downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and chemokine gene MCP-1, while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. OXY treatment also suppressed inflammation via inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the colon, as well as the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO). OXY exhibited anti-apoptotic effects, shifting the Bax/Bcl-2 balance. In conclusion, OXY might improve DSS-induced colitis by restoring the intestinal mucus layer and reducing inflammation within the intestine.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory; colitis; intestinal mucus layer; oxyresveratrol.