Luteolin Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Colonic Hypermobility in Water Avoidance Stress Rats by Activating the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Scope Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder, whose symptoms can be alleviated by certain dietary phytochemicals. This study explores the role and potential mechanisms of a natural flavonoid luteolin (LUT) in alleviating the excessive motility of colonic smooth muscles and reducing oxidative stress in IBS with diarrhea (IBS‐D) rats. Methods and results LUT reduces excessive intestinal motility and lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in a water avoidance stress (WAS) rat model. Moreover, LUT increases the protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), activates the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and greatly reduces the hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )‐induced oxidative damage in intestinal epithelial cells. Conclusions LUT, a phyto‐active component, protects against excessive intestinal motility and diarrhea by regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and effectively reduces oxidative stress damage in the colon.