EgHCF alleviates DSS-induced colitis by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as regulating the gut microbiota, providing novel insights into its role in repairing the intestinal barrier.
EgHCF treatment ameliorated clinical and histopathological signs of DSS-induced acute colitis in mice.
EgHCF enhanced intestinal barrier integrity and suppressed inflammatory responses in DSS-treated mice.
EgHCF reduced oxidative stress and activated the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway in DSS-induced colitis mice.
EgHCF attenuated gut microbial dysbiosis by increasing α-diversity and the abundance of Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota.
Metabolomics indicated that the tryptophan metabolic pathway plays a prominent role in the effect of EgHCF treatment on DSS-induced UC mice.
In NCM460 intestinal epithelial cells, EgHCF protected epithelial barrier function and reduced pro-inflammatory markers iNOS and COX-2 after DSS stimulation.
In DSS-stimulated NCM460 cells, EgHCF lowered intracellular ROS levels and activated the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.
This study tested whether fluid from hydatid cysts of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus (EgHCF) could protect against ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. Researchers used mice given dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to cause colitis, and also human intestinal lining cells (NCM460) exposed to DSS in the lab. In mice, EgHCF treatment reduced colitis signs such as weight loss and colon shortening, and lessened damage to colon tissue. It also appeared to strengthen the gut barrier, lower inflammation and oxidative stress, and activate the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, a cell defense system against oxidative damage. EgHCF also shifted the gut bacteria toward a healthier profile, with greater diversity and more Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota. Metabolic analysis pointed to tryptophan metabolism as important. In cell experiments, EgHCF protected barrier function, reduced inflammatory markers (iNOS, COX-2) and reactive oxygen species, and activated the same pathway. This research suggests that components of parasite cyst fluid may help ease colitis through several linked mechanisms. However, these results come from mice and cell cultures, so they do not show whether this would work or be safe in people. The abstract gives no dose or sample-size details.
Wang X, Baota A, Wang F, Didaer Y, Shan J. (2026). Hydatid Cyst Fluid of Echinococcus granulosus Alleviates Experimental Ulcerative Colitis by Suppressing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Regulating the Gut Microbiota.. International journal of molecular sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27209286