Inflammatory bowel disease, including
Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis (UC), is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine. UC is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon and rectum that includes intervals of acute exacerbation. Although recent studies have suggested that proinflammatory
cytokines might have initiated the inflammatory responses in UC, its etiology remains unclear. Aronia berries are rich in dietary
polyphenols such as phenolic
acids,
anthocyanins,
flavonoids, and
proanthocyanidins with various health benefits, including
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiaging activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether Aronia berry can be an effective intervention for the treatment of UC. BALB/c mice were administered 5%
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce UC. They were then given Aronia berry extracts at concentrations of 10 or 100 mg/kg. During the induction of UC, the expression levels of
nuclear factor-kappa B were increased in colonic epithelial cells and immune cells, leading to increased proinflammatory
cytokine levels. Aronia berry extract significantly improved the clinical signs of DSS-induced UC, including
body weight loss, colon length shortening, and disease activity index increase, with histological markers of colon injury. Furthermore,
oral administration of Aronia berry extract inhibited
prostaglandin E2 production in DSS-induced
colitis and decreased the levels of
nitric oxide,
interleukin-6, and
tumor necrosis factor-α in
lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. These results suggest that Aronia berry extract could efficiently ameliorate clinical signs and inflammatory mediators of UC. Therefore, Aronia berry might be a promising natural treatment for UC.