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Planta Med 2013; 79(02): 102-109
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328057
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Curcumin Improves TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rats by Inhibiting IL-27 Expression via the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Zhaojing Zeng
1   Department of Gastroenterology, The Western Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning,Guangxi, China
,
Lingling Zhan
2   Department of Clinical Experimental Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
,
Hui Liao
1   Department of Gastroenterology, The Western Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning,Guangxi, China
,
Lan Chen
1   Department of Gastroenterology, The Western Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning,Guangxi, China
,
Xiaoping Lv
1   Department of Gastroenterology, The Western Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning,Guangxi, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 24 August 2012
revised 28 October 2012

accepted 10 November 2012

Publication Date:
18 December 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Curcumin is a widely used spice with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. It has been reported to have beneficial effects in experimental colitis. This study explored whether curcumin improves colonic inflammation in a rat colitis model through inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and IL-27 expression. After induction of colitis with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, rats were intragastrically administered with curcumin or sulfasalazine daily for one week. Rat intestinal mucosa was collected for evaluation of the disease activity index, colonic mucosa damage index, and histological score. Myeloperoxidase activity was detected by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-27 in colonic mucosa were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Compared with the untreated colitis group, the curcumin-treated group showed significant decreases in the disease activity index, colonic mucosa damage index, histological score, myeloperoxidase activity, and expressions of NF-κB mRNA, IL-27 mRNA, TLR4 protein, NF-κB p65 protein, and IL-27 p28 protein (p < 0.05). TLR4 mRNA expression did not differ between groups. Disease activity index decreased more rapidly in the curcumin-treated group than in the sulfasalazine-treated group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-27 mRNA and proteins between curcumin-treated and sulfasalazine-treated groups. Curcumin shows significant therapeutic effects on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis that are comparable to sulfasalazine. The anti-inflammatory actions of curcumin on colitis may involve inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and of IL-27 expression.

Key words

Curcuma longa - Zingiberaceae - curcumin - interleukin-27 - NF-κB - sulfasalazine - TLR4 - 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid
 

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