Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract suppresses inflammation by inhibition of C3a/C3aR signaling pathway in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis rats

Daxing Gu; Huiting Wang; Mingen Yan; Yaoxing Li; Shijing Yang; Dayou Shi; Shining Guo; Li Wu; Cui Liu

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116221

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract suppresses inflammation by inhibition of C3a/C3aR signaling pathway in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 May 10:307:116221. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116221. Epub 2023 Feb 6.

Authors

Daxing Gu¹, Huiting Wang², Mingen Yan³, Yaoxing Li⁴, Shijing Yang⁵, Dayou Shi⁶, Shining Guo⁷, Li Wu⁸, Cui Liu⁹

Affiliations

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: guxxing@stu.scau.edu.cn.
² College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: wanghuiting@stu.scau.edu.cn.
³ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: yanmingen@stu.scau.edu.cn.
⁴ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: lyxing@stu.scau.edu.cn.
⁵ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: ysj@stu.scau.edu.cn.
⁶ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Nature Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China; International Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: shidayou@scau.edu.cn.
⁷ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Nature Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China; International Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: shining@scau.edu.cn.
⁸ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Technology Research Center for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Nature Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China; International Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: 30000924@scau.edu.cn.
⁹ College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: liuc@scau.edu.cn.

PMID: 36754188
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116221

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, commonly known as purple conical flower. It was widely used to treat skin inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases.

Aim of study: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and nonspecific inflammatory disease. Recent evidence shows that immune disorders are involved in the pathogenesis of UC. To evaluate the protective effect of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench exact (EE) on UC and explore the role of complement system in the treatment of UC.

Materials and methods: UC model was induced in rats by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), and then rats were administered with EE for 10 days. Collect colon tissues for analysis of relevant mechanisms.

Results: EE could reduce the weight loss and diarrhea of UC rats. In addition, EE could improve the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier in UC rats. EE inhibited the level of proinflammatory cytokines and promoted the antioxidation. Furthermore, EE suppressed the expression of C3aR, CFB, CD55, TLR4 and NLRP3.

Conclusion: These results indicate that EE may achieve therapeutic effect by inhibiting C3a/C3aR signal pathway, suggesting that EE may be used as a medicinal plant to alleviate UC.

Keywords: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench; Medicinal plant; Protective effect; Ulcerative colitis.

MeSH terms

Animals
Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
Colon
Complement C3a / metabolism
Echinacea*
Inflammation / pathology
Rats
Signal Transduction
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid

Substances

Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
Complement C3a
anaphylatoxin receptor C3a, rat