Preventive effects of cranberry products on experimental colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium in mice

• Published in: Food chemistry 2015-01, Vol.167, p.438-446
• Main Authors: Xiao, Xiao, Kim, Jonggun, Sun, Quancai, Kim, Daeyoung, Park, Cheon-Seok, Lu, Tzong-Shi, Park, Yeonhwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Colitis; Colitis - chemically induced; Cranberry; Dextran Sulfate - chemistry; DSS; Food toxicology; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - drug therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Toxicology; Vaccinium macrocarpon - chemistry
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.006

•Cranberry products prevent symptoms of DSS-induced colitis in mice.•Cranberry phenolics and fibre reduce inflammatory responses in colitis.•Cranberry fibre is more effective than phenolics on preventing colitis. With the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its associated risk for development of colorectal cancer, it is of great importance to prevent and treat IBD. However, due to the complexity of etiology and potentially serious adverse effects, treatment options for IBD are relatively limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify a safe food-based approach for the prevention and treatment of IBD. In this study, we tested the effects of cranberry products on preventing dextran sulphate sodium-induced murine colitis. Our results suggest that both cranberry extract and dried cranberries-fed groups had a significantly reduced disease activity index, where dried cranberries were more effective in preventing colitis than cranberry extract. Shortening of colon length, colonic myeloperoxidase activity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were attenuated in animals fed dried cranberries compared to the controls. The current report suggests that cranberries can be applied to prevent and reduce the symptoms of IBD.