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Bachu Mushroom Polysaccharide Alleviates Colonic Injury by Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Summary

Researchers studied a polysaccharide extracted from Bachu mushrooms, a traditional medicinal fungus used in China, to treat inflammatory bowel disease in mice. The polysaccharide reduced inflammation by decreasing harmful inflammatory proteins and increasing beneficial bacteria in the gut. Treatment significantly improved disease symptoms and protected the colon from damage caused by chemical-induced colitis, suggesting this mushroom extract could potentially be developed into a natural treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the digestive tract with increasing prevalence worldwide. Current treatments have limitations including high recurrence rates and low initial treatment responses. Natural compounds, particularly edible mushroom polysaccharides, have shown promise for IBD prevention due to their nontoxicity and high efficiency.

Objective

This study aimed to define the protective effect of purified Helvella leucopus polysaccharide (p-HLP) against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and to evaluate its effects on colonic histopathology, inflammation, and microbiota composition.

Results

p-HLP was identified as a homopolysaccharide with molecular weight of 39.14 × 10⁸ Da, composed primarily of mannose (43.68%) and glucose (38.16%). Treatment significantly attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss and colon shortening, decreased proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS) and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10. p-HLP modulated gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial Lactobacillus and decreasing harmful Lachnospiraceae species.

Conclusion

Purified Bachu mushroom polysaccharide demonstrates potent protective effects against DSS-induced colitis through anti-inflammatory activity and gut microbiota modulation. These findings suggest p-HLP has potential as an effective therapeutic candidate for inflammatory bowel disease treatment.
  • Published in:Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine,
  • Study Type:In vivo Animal Study,
  • Source: PMID: 35371288; DOI: 10.1155/2022/1353724
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