title: Orally administered aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus ameliorates acute inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat several disorders through its various biological functions. I. obliquus is claimed to produce general immune-potentiating and strengthening, antiinflammatory, and antitumor properties, but its effects on intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis) are clearly not understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects and mode of action of an aqueous extract of I. obliquus (IOAE) on experimental colitis in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Female 5-week-C57BL/6 mice were randomized into groups differing in treatment conditions (prevention and treatment) and doses of IOAE (50 and 100mg/kg body weight). Mice were exposed to DSS (2%) in their drinking water over 7 day to induce acute intestinal inflammation. In colon tissues, we evaluated histological changes by hematoxylin and eosin staining, levels of iNOS by immuno-histochemical staining, and neutrophil influx by myeloperoxidase assay. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ was determined by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological examinations indicated that IOAE suppressed edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. IOAE markedly attenuated DSS-induced iNOS levels and myeloperoxidase accumulation in colon tissues, demonstrating its suppressive effect on infiltration of immune cells. In addition, IOAE significantly inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by DSS in colon tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest anti-inflammatory effect of IOAE at colorectal sites due to down-regulation of the expression of inflammatory mediators. Suppression of TNF-α and iNOS together with IL-1β by IOAE denotes that it might be a useful supplement in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease.
authors: Cancer Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, National Cancer Center, Ilsan-ro 323, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 410-769, Republic of Korea.
authors: Siddhartha Kumar
authors: SK
authors: Mishra
authors: Ju-Hee
authors: JH
authors: Kang
authors: Dong-Kyu
authors: DK
authors: Kim
authors: Seung Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Oh
authors: Mi Kyung
authors: MK
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001487:Basidiomycota; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D016207:Cytokines; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010636:Phenols; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse