Anti-inflammatory effect of Cinnamic acid on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite many current treatments, there is no fundamental treatment for a long period of time due to its complicate causes and mechanisms. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) is one of the substances used to induce colitis as an experimental IBD animal models. We conducted an animal study with DSS induced colitis to investigate the effect of cinnamic acid (CA) on IBD. As a result of intestinal H&E staining, DSS treatment disrupted intestinal structures and worsened fecal status on day 7 and 10 after DSS treatment. However, CA administration suppressed break-down of intestinal structures and improved fecal condition. DSS treated colons were shorten compared to those of control, and CA treated ones were slightly elongated. Increased IL-10 in the serum by DSS were reduced in CA-treated group. DSS intake increased protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory markers such as p-NFκb, p-iκB, IL-6, IL-1beta, and iNOS in the colon, but CA treatment decreased them. Therefore, cinnamic acid could help to improve intestinal colitis and be a potential agent for IBD.