Armillariella tabescens polysaccharide treated rats with oral ulcers through modulation of oral microbiota and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

We identified Armillariella tabescens polysaccharide (PAT-W), a compound isolated from a Chinese medicinal mushroom, as a potential novel oral ulcer (OU) drug. In treating OU rats with PAT-W, especially in the high-dose group, oral mucous tissue TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were markedly reduced, and pathological morphology and oxidative stress were effectively improved. Western blot analysis showed that the PAT-W channel ameliorated OU mucous tissue damage, which depends on the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant signaling pathway. Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing results showed that PAT-W regulated the maladjustment of the oral microbiota caused by OU. Therefore, based on the new viewpoint of activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and regulating oral microbiota, PAT-W is expected to become a new natural drug for treating oral ulcers and improving patients' quality of life.