Long‐term oral administration of burdock fructooligosaccharide alleviates DSS‐induced colitis in mice by mediating anti‐inflammatory effects and protection of intestinal barrier function

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis, a typical subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, can cause many serious complications. Burdock fructooligosaccharide (BFO), a linear inulin with a purity of 99.439% and a molecular weight of 2345 Da, demonstrates anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. METHODS: The Kunming mice were divided into two experimental models: a normal pretreatment model and a colitis experimental model. During the experimental treatment period, we assessed changes in weight and disease activity index (DAI), quantified the intestinal index, and determined myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and reactive oxide species (ROS) levels in colitis mice. We also photographed colon morphology to investigate alterations in the integrity of the intestinal barrier function. Finally, we performed ELISA and qRT‐PCR to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of BFO treatment on colitis mice. RESULT: The long‐term oral administration of BFO alone exhibited protective effects by preventing disruption of the intestinal functional structure and increasing the colon index in mice. However, in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis mouse model, BFO administration facilitated quick recovery of body weight and effectively reduced the DAI, especially in the BFO‐H group (500 mg/kg/day). BFO treatment maintained the integrity of the intestinal barrier by attenuating the crypt distortion and increasing the goblet cells count It restored the DSS‐induced colon shortening and reduced the symptoms of colitis. These effects may be attributed to the appropriate concentrations of BFO effectively inhibiting MPO activity, clearing excessive ROS, and relieving spleen abnormalitie. BFO also attenuated the overexpression and excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and MCP‐1) induced by DSS, reduced intestinal inflammation, and consequently protected the intestinal barrier function. CONCLUSION: BFO effectively alleviated the symptoms of DSS‐induced colitis by mediating anti‐inflammatory effects and protecting the intestinal barrier integrity, thereby potentially facilitating the utilization of safer and more efficacious polysaccharides for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.