β-ionone shows promise in preventing ulcerative colitis through gut barrier protection and microbiota regulation

The research demonstrates that β-ionone can alleviate UC symptoms in mice by protecting the gut barrier and restoring the gut microbiota, offering hope for future dietary supplements or therapeutics aimed at managing UC.

Ulcerative colitis is an immune-mediated condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon. It is associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and an imbalance in immune responses. Current treatments, including steroids and immunosuppressants, carry risks of side effects such as infections and organ damage. There is a pressing need for safer, more effective therapies. Recent studies have pointed to the gut microbiota as a key player in UC development, with emerging evidence suggesting that restoring microbial balance and supporting gut integrity could offer therapeutic benefits.

A study (DOI:10.48130/fia-0024-0031) published in Food Innovation and Advances on 22 October 2024 by Tao Tong’s team, China Agricultural University, provides a strong rationale for exploring β-ionone as a preventive or adjunctive therapy in UC treatment.

In this study, the researchers investigated the preventive effects of β-ionone (ION) on ulcerative colitis (UC) using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. The colitis was induced by administering 1.5% DSS to mice, which led to significant symptoms including weight loss, diarrhea, and mucosal damage. Mice treated with ION showed significantly improved clinical outcomes, including lower disease activity index (DAI), reduced weight loss, and less colon shortening. Histological analysis revealed that ION treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and mucosal injury. The study also assessed pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, showing that ION supplementation effectively reduced the elevated expression of TNF-α and IL-8 induced by DSS. To evaluate oxidative stress, the study measured the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the colon tissues. The results showed that DSS treatment led to oxidative damage, which was mitigated by ION supplementation, as it reversed the decline in antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced MDA levels. Moreover, ION also influenced lipid metabolism, restoring abnormal serum lipid levels (TG, LDL-C, HDL-C) caused by DSS. Additionally, the study explored ION’s effects on the intestinal barrier, finding that ION enhanced mucin secretion and increased the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin), thus improving the intestinal mucosal barrier. The study also demonstrated that ION reshaped the gut microbiota, restoring the diversity and composition of gut microbes altered by DSS. Specifically, ION increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria like Bacteroides and Faecalibaculum, and reduced harmful bacteria such as Parabacteroides. These results suggest that ION exerts its protective effects on UC by strengthening the gut barrier and modulating the gut microbiota, offering promising therapeutic potential for UC management.

This study provides compelling evidence that β-ionone can alleviate the symptoms of ulcerative colitis by protecting the intestinal barrier and modulating the gut microbiota. These findings lay the groundwork for future clinical research that could pave the way for new, natural-based therapies to prevent and manage UC, offering an alternative to current drug treatments that come with significant side effects.

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References

DOI

10.48130/fia-0024-0031

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.48130/fia-0024-0031

Funding information

This research was funded by the Science and Technology project of Xizang Autonomous Region (XZ202401ZY0092) and Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (2024TC083).

About Food Innovation and Advances

Food is essential to life and relevant to human health. The rapidly increasing global population presents a major challenge to supply abundant, safe, and healthy food into the future. The open access journal Food Innovation and Advances (e-ISSN 2836-774X), published by Maximum Academic Press in association with China Agricultural University, Zhejiang University and Shenyang Agricultural University, publishes high-quality research results related to innovations and advances in food science and technology. The journal will strive to contribute to food sustainability in the present and future.