This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Auricularia auricula-judae ethanol extract (AEE) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis mice. The highest levels of total polyphenols and DPPH radical scavenging activity were observed in AEE. Also, NO production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). AEE was suspended in distilled water and administration per oral at different doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight every day with 3% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. The sample AEE 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly increased body weight, colon length and decreased disease activity index (DAI) score. Histological features showed that 100 and 300 mg/kg of AEE suppressed edema, mucosal damage and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. The serum levels of TNF- and IL-6 were measured in acute colitis mice using ELISA kits. Levels of TNF- and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased by topical application of AEE. Therefore, AEE increases antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and it is thought that it can effectively help prevent colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon and rectum with intervals of acute exacerbation. Its etiology remains unknown, although recent studies suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines initiate the inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of YB-21 (new product containining Lactobacillus plantarum, Barley Bran and Nymphaeaceae) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups (n = 10) of ICR mice: normal control(NC), DSS-treated(PC, positive control), DSS+latic-L-treated (3×107CFU/ml), DSS+latic-M-treated (3×109CFU/ml), DSS+latic-H-treated (3×1011CFU/ml), and DSS+YB-21-treated. Histological examinations indicated that YB-21 suppressed edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. Moreover, YB-21 reduced serum level expressions of, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These results suggest that YB-21 has an anti-colitic effect by the suppression of intestinal inflammatory responses in DSS-induced colitis in mice.

염증성 장질환은 장관 내 비정상적인 만성 염증이 호전과 재발을 반복하는 질환으로 아직까지 명확한 발병기전은 밝혀져 있지 않다. 그 중 궤양성 대장염은 염증 및 혈변, 설사 심한 경우에는 발열을 동반한다. 현재 치료제로는 설파살라진, 메살라민과 같은 항염 증제, 항생제 등을 사용하고 있지만, 부작용으로 두통, 빈혈 등의 있고 드물게는 간염, 폐렴 등이 유발되기 때문에 보다 안전한 방법이 요구되는 실정이다. 본 실험은 5주령의 수컷 마우스를 일주일간 적응기간 후, CON군 DSS군, 저농도군, 중농도군으로 나누었다. CON군을 제외한 모든 군에 DSS를 일주일간 투여해 장염을 유발한 후 2주간 WK-20을 투여한 후 검사를 한 결과 저농도, 중농도군에서 대장염의 증상이 유의적으로 완화된 것으로 보였다. 따라서, WK-20은 DSS를 통해 유발되는 대장염에서 치료적 효과를 보이지만 MTT 검사를 통해 농도의 조절이 필요한 것으로 사료된다.