Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics reveals the potential mechanism of action of saikosaponin D against DSS-induced acute ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a part of the cluster of conditions –known as inflammatory bowel disease. It is caused by a plethora of factors that on a long-term basis result in inflammation of the colon and rectum, with accompanied metabolic disorders. In this study, we found that saikosaponin D could ameliorate the symptoms of acute colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by improving disease activity index, colon length and histological score. Also, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics was used to predict the probable mechanism(s) of action of saikosaponin D in the treatment of UC. We found 9 increased metabolites and 16 decreased metabolites, 11 of which were restored by saikosaponin D administration. The related metabolic pathways were involved in α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of action of saikosaponin D elucidated by GC-MS-based metabolomics, could be further validated in future experiments.