Therapeutic Potential of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Leaf Extract in Modulating Gut Microbiota and Immune Response for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

作者：Mingzhang Lin, Linghua Piao, Zhendong Zhao, Li Liao, Dayong Wang, Haiwen Zhang, Xiande Liu · 发表于：Pharmaceuticals · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/ph18010067 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Gastrointestinal motility and disorders、Gut microbiota and health、Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract, distinguished by the impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier, dysregulation of the gut microbiota, and abnormal immune responses. Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine for gastrointestinal issues such as bleeding and dysentery, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. However, its effects on IBD remain largely unexplored. Methods: In this study, the major compounds from Cajanus cajan leaf extract (CCLE) were initially characterized by LCMS-IT-TOF. The IBD model was developed in C57BL/6 mice by administering continuous 4% (w/v) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) aqueous solution over a period of seven days. The body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed in the IBD model. The levels of the main inflammatory factors, specifically TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), were quantified by employing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Additionally, the levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin) and oxidative stress enzymes (iNOS, SOD1, CAT) were investigated by qPCR. Subsequently, flow cytometry was employed to analyze the populations of various immune cells within the spleen, thereby assessing the impact of the CCLE on the systemic immune homeostasis of IB...