Propolis from Different Geographic Origins Suppress Intestinal Inflammation in a Model of DSS‐Induced Colitis is Associated with Decreased Bacteroides spp. in the Gut.

Kai Wang Xiaolu Jin Qiangqiang Li Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland Sawaya Richard K. Le Leu Michael A. Conlon Liming Wu Fuliang Hu

First published: 11 June 2018 

Abstract

Scope

Dietary supplementation with polyphenol‐rich propolis can protect against experimentally‐induced colitis. We examined whether different polyphenol compositions of Chinese propolis (CP) and Brazilian propolis (BP) influences their ability to protect against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis in rats.

Methods and results

HPLC‐DAD/Q‐TOF‐MS analysis confirmed that polyphenol compositions of CP and BP were dissimilar. Rats were given CP or BP by gavage (300 mg/kg body weight) throughout the study, starting 1 week prior to DSS treatment for 1 week followed by 3 d without DSS. CP and BP significantly reduced the colitis disease activity index relative to controls not receiving propolis, prevented significant DSS‐induced colonic tissue damage and increased resistance to DSS‐induced colonic oxidative stress as shown by reduced malonaldehyde levels and increased T‐AOC levels. CP and BP significantly reduced DSS‐induced colonic apoptosis. Colonic inflammatory markers IL‐1β, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 were suppressed by CP and BP, whereas only BP induced expression of TGF‐β. CP, not BP, increased the diversity and richness of gut microbiota populations. Both forms of propolis significantly reduced populations of Bacteroides spp.

Conclusions

Despite the dissimilar polyphenol compositions of CP and BP, their ability to protect against DSS‐induced colitis is similar. Nevertheless, some different physiological impacts were observed.

 

* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.