Effects of polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. on intestinal mucosal cytokines and intestinal flora in mice with ulcerative colitis

Objective To investigate the effects of polysaccharides from Portulaca oleracea L. on intestinal mucosal cytokines and intestinal flora in mice with ulcerative colitis. Methods Mice were randomly divided into control group and model group induced with dextran sulfate sodium( DSS group). The mice with ulcerative colitis( DSS group) were further subdivided into natural recovery group and treatment group. After modeling and 7 days of adminstration,the mice were sacrificed to detect the intestinal mucosal cytokines and intestinal flora. Results The intestinal mucosal cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 increased while IL-10 reduced and the imbalance of intestinal flora was observed after modeling with DSS. After 7 days of treatment with the polysaccharides,the TNF-а and IL-6 reduced,and IL-10 increased compared with the model group; the quantities of intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were increased significantly. Conclusion Polysaccharides of Portulaca oleracea L. can increase the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α,and increase the quantities of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. They can help in the treatment of ulcerative colitis through anti-inflammatory effect and by reducing excessive immune response and regulating intestinal dysbiosis.