Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activity of taraxasterol in ulcerative colitis in vitro and in vivo.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activity of taraxasterol in ulcerative colitis in vitro and in vivo. Exp Ther Med. 2019 Sep;18(3):1745-1751 Authors: Che L, Li Y, Song R, Qin C, Hao W, Wang B, Yang L, Peng P, Xu F Abstract Ulcerative colitis is closely associated with colorectal cancer, the long-standing chronic inflammation being the key etiology of ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present study was to identify the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activity of taraxasterol in ulcerative colitis. MTT assay was used to obtain the optimal concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and taraxasterol for cell treatments in vitro. A mouse model of colitis was established via dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) administration. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected through ELISA. Flow cytometry and western blotting were used to detect apoptosis and related protein expression levels, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological damage. The results from the MTT assay identified the optimal concentration of LPS and taraxasterol, and ELISA results demonstrated that taraxasterol treatment decreased the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in vitro and in vivo, in a dose-dependent manner. Taraxasterol treatment inhibited apoptosis, and reduced the protein levels of p53, Bcl-2 associated X (BAX) and caspase-3. Finally, pathological damages were reduced in colonic tissues of mice treated with taraxastero...
Source: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine - Category: General Medicine Tags: Exp Ther Med Source Type: research