Protective bioactivity of Ziziphus jujuba dates polysaccharide on colitis via improving the intestinal barrier and modifying the gut microbiota

The present study primarily investigated the regulatory effects of Ziziphus jujuba dates polysaccharides (ZJP-I) on metabolism and gut microbiota in mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The findings demonstrated that ZJP-I had the ability to decrease the disease activity index (DAI) in mice with colitis induced by DSS. It could also improve the colonic lesions by reducing the infiltration of inflammation. Moreover, ZJP-I was found to increase the quantity of goblet cells and crypts, which in turn promoted the structural integrity of the colon. Additionally, it could partially restore the length of the colon and enhance the expression of tight junction proteins. Additionally, ZJP-I modulated levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative factors (the level of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β increased by 90.05%, 53.46% and 174.41%, IL-10 decreased by 72.53%), thereby ameliorating inflammation-related damage in colitis. Metagenomic sequencing results revealed that ZJP-I could rectify dysbiosis within gut microbiota while influencing various microbial functions and alter serum metabolites in colitis mice. Notably, ZJP-I significantly improved and restored tryptophan metabolic pathways (p=0.023), resulting in increased abundances of metabolites. These outcomes contribute valuable evidence toward comprehension on Ziziphus jujuba dates polysaccharides combating colitis.