1. Academic Validation
  2. Anti-inflammatory effects of anemonin on acute ulcerative colitis via targeted regulation of protein kinase C-θ

Anti-inflammatory effects of anemonin on acute ulcerative colitis via targeted regulation of protein kinase C-θ

  • Chin Med. 2022 Mar 28;17(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s13020-022-00599-3.
Lu Jiang 1 Chunhua Chi 2 Fang Yuan 3 Meiqi Lu 4 Dongqing Hu 5 Lin Wang 5 Xiaoming Liu 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.42 Wenhua west road, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China. Dr13573751899@163.com.
  • 2 Department of Anorectal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China.
  • 3 Department of Gastrology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China.
  • 4 Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.42 Wenhua west road, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China.
  • 5 Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China.
  • 6 Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.42 Wenhua west road, Jinan, 250011, Shandong, China. lxm8002@163.com.
Abstract

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes continuous mucosal inflammation. Anemonin is a natural molecule from the Ranunculaceae and Gramineae plants that exerts anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of anemonin on UC.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were administered dextran sulphate sodium (DSS; 3% [w/v]) to establish an animal model of UC. Mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of anemonin. Body weight and the disease activity index (DAI) were recorded. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, RT-qPCR, ELISA, and western blotting were performed to evaluate the histopathological changes and tissue inflammation. HT-29 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and anemonin. Cell inflammation was evaluated using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The target proteins of anemonin were predicted using bioinformatics analysis and confirmed in vitro and in vivo.

Results: Anemonin improved DSS-induced body weight loss, shortened colon length, increased DAI, and induced pathological changes in the colon tissue of mice. Anemonin inhibited DSS-induced colon tissue inflammation as the release of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 was significantly suppressed. Additionally, anemonin attenuated LPS-induced cytokine production in HT-29 cells. PKC-θ was predicted as a target protein of anemonin. Anemonin did not affect PRKCQ gene transcription, but inhibited its translation. PRKCQ overexpression partially reversed the protective effects of anemonin on HT-29 cells. Adeno-associated virus delivery of the PRKCQ vector significantly reversed the protective effects of anemonin on the mouse colon.

Conclusions: Anemonin has the potential to treat UC. The anti-inflammatory effects of anemonin may be mediated through targeting PKC-θ.

Keywords

Acute ulcerative colitis; Anemonin; Inflammation; PKC-θ.

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