The potential therapeutic effects of hydroxypropyl cellulose on acute murine colitis induced by DSS.

In this study, high-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (HHPC) and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (LHPC) were orally administered (150 or 300 mg/kg) to investigate the inflammation inhibitory effects on DSS-induced colitis mice. In addition, the anti-inflammatory potential of HHPC in-vitro (RAW 264.7 cells) was evaluated. The result showed that HHPC could inhibit the excessive secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide. Oral administration of HHPC and LHPC could dose-dependently mitigate the pathological damage of colon tissue, suppressed spleen edema, preserved thymus index, reduced the serum level of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and MPO), increased the secretion of sIgA in the colon, and restored the balance of the intestinal flora such as Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, and Blautia. Overall, this study elucidated the therapeutic potential of LHPC and HHPC as a prebiotic to treat acute ulcerative colitis.