Search

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trilobatin (TLB) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and further explore the underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of signaling pathway and gut microbiota. Methods: A mouse model of UC was established using DSS. Trilobatin was administered via oral gavage. Disease severity was assessed based on body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histological detection, inflammation markers, and colonic mucosal barrier damage. Alternations in the NF-κB and PI3K/Akt pathways were detected by marker proteins. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to investigate the gut microbiota of mice. Results: In the DSS-induced UC mice, TLB (30 μg/g) treatment significantly increased the body weight, reduced the DAI score, alleviated colon length shortening, improved histopathological changes in colon tissue, inhibited the secretion and expression of inflammation factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased the expression of tight-junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin). Furthermore, TLB (30 μg/g) treatment significantly suppressed the activation of NF-κB pathway and altered the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, as observed in the variations of the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota, in UC mice. Conclusion: TLB effectively alleviates DSS-induced UC in mice. Regulation of the NF-κB pathway and gut microbiota contributes to TLB-mediated therapeutic effects. Our study not only identified a novel drug candidate for the treatment of UC, but also enhanced our understanding of the biological functions of TLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to establish a high efficient regeneration system of sunflower, we optimized the process of callus induction, differentiation and rooting by screening the optimum genotype, explant materials, hormone and cytokine concentration and additives. The results indicated that hybrid sunflowers were easier to regenerate than selfing ones; The best explant was four days cotyledon. The optimum induction medium was Murashige and Skoog (MS) + 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) + 0.5 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 1.0 mg/L kinetin (KT). The maximum rate of callus induction was 100%. The optimum differentiation medium was MS +0.2 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA + 0.3 mg/L KT + 0.3 mg/L silver nitrate (AgNO3) + 0.2 g/L active carbon (AC), and the buds differentiation rate was up to 71%. The best rooting culture medium was 1/2 MS + 0.6 mg/L indolebutyric acid (IBA). The highest rooting rate was 77%. The analysis of variance showed that genotype, explants growth time, different kinds and concentration of hormone, AC concentration had a significant effect on sunflower regeneration.