Luteolin Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolism

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2025 Jan 25

PMID 39861331

Authors

Shuai Yang

Hongwei Duan

Zhenxing Yan

Chen Xue

Tian Niu

Wenjing Cheng

Yong Zhang

Xingxu Zhao

Junjie Hu

Lihong Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and easily recurrent inflammatory bowel disease. The gut microbiota and plasma metabolites play pivotal roles in the development and progression of UC. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting the intestinal flora or plasma metabolites offer promising avenues for the treatment of UC. Luteolin (Lut), originating from a variety of vegetables and fruits, has attracted attention for its potent anti-inflammatory properties and potential to modulate intestinal flora.

Methods: The therapeutic efficacy of Lut was evaluated in an established dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. The clinical symptoms were analyzed, and biological samples were collected for microscopic examination and the evaluation of the epithelial barrier function, microbiome, and metabolomics.

Results: The findings revealed that Lut administration at a dose of 25 mg/kg significantly ameliorated systemic UC symptoms in mice, effectively reduced the systemic inflammatory response, and significantly repaired colonic barrier function. Furthermore, Lut supplementation mitigated gut microbiota dysbiosis in a UC murine model, increasing the abundance of , , and while decreasing and levels. These alterations in gut microbiota also influenced plasma metabolism, significantly increasing phosphatidylcholine (PC), 6'-Deamino- 6'-hydroxyneomycin C, and gamma-L-glutamyl-butyrosine B levels and decreasing Motapizone and Arachidoyl-Ethanolamide (AEA) levels.

Conclusions: This study reveals that Lut supplementation modulates intestinal inflammation by restoring the gut microbiota community structure, thereby altering the synthesis of inflammation-related metabolites. Lut is a potential nutritional supplement with anti-inflammatory properties and offers a novel alternative for UC intervention and mitigation. In addition, further studies are needed to ascertain whether specific microbial communities or metabolites can mediate the recovery from UC.

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