Posted 1/16/2021 3:53 PM (GMT -7)
Curcumin ameliorates DSS‑induced colitis in mice by regulating the Treg/Th17 signaling pathway
UC is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory disease that affects the colorectal tissue of the body (2). The abnormal immune system in the intestinal mucosa leads to an imbalance in immune cells and inflammatory cytokines, resulting in damage to the intestinal tissues (3,4). Th17 cells have been considered to be closely correlated with inflammatory bowel disease (5), and studies (6,7) have found that there is abnormal mucosal immune response in the intestine of UC, which may be closely related to the imbalance between regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th17 cells (8). Th17 affects innate and adaptive immune responses, and participates in the immunopathological process and prognosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by releasing interleukin (IL)-17 and other inflammatory cytokines (9).
Curcumin is a non-toxic all-natural compound extracted from turmeric and has many biological activities such as anti-inflammation, anti-infection, anti-coagulation and immune regulation (15,18). It has been reported that curcumin has a good therapeutic effect on experimental colitis in mice and can alleviate intestinal inflammation. It participates in anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and other protective effects by reducing the concentration of nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB.
The results of the present study demonstrated that oral administration of curcumin to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice could inhibit the intestinal inflammation, and increase the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 by regulating the balance of Treg/Th17, while reducing the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-23, IL-17, and IL-6. It achieved therapeutic effect through the inhibition of the IL-23/Th17 pathway.
Ultimately, it inhibits T cell-mediated immune response and thus improves UC intestinal inflammation (4). Curcumin serves an anti-inflammatory role by elevating the level of IL-10 and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. It was speculated that curcumin promotes the proliferation of antigen-specific effector cells by modulating the interaction between immune cells through the regulation of multiple cytokines, and thus improves the local intestinal or systemic inflammatory response and balances immune disorders in mice with colitis (33,34).
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2020.11672