Baicalein alleviates chronic acute stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms in rats via modulating the ODC1/NF-κB pathway and oxidative stress

作者：Han Lin, Yali Lv, Hua‐Cheng Liu, Lin Zheng, Ning Zhu, Bingwu Huang · 发表于：Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152058 · 被引用次数：11 · 研究领域：Gastrointestinal motility and disorders、Inflammatory Bowel Disease、Flavonoids in Medical Research

BACKGROUND: As a persistent gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) influences the gut-brain connection, leading to abdominal pain and altered bowel irregularities. Baicalein, a flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, is frequently utilized in anti-inflammatory treatments. This study aimed to explore baicalein's effectiveness in mitigating IBS symptoms triggered by both chronic and acute stress (CAS) and to uncover its fundamental mechanisms. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were employed to develop an IBS rat model by inducing CAS for five weeks. Each rat was randomly allocated to one of four experimental groups: model (M), low-dose baicalein (L), high-dose baicalein (H), and control (C). Baicalein was orally administered throughout the experiment. Behavioral assessments were conducted, including forced swimming, marble-burying, intestinal motility, and visceral sensitivity tests. Colonic tissues were collected for histopathological examination, evaluation of oxidative stress (MDA and SOD levels), and analysis of inflammatory cytokines, and ODC1/NF-κB pathway activation using Western blot assay, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Baicalein treatment notably ameliorated IBS-like symptoms, such as fecal pellet output and AWR scores, by alleviating stress-induced behavioral changes. Baicalein bolstered antioxidant defenses through boosting SOD activity and lowering MDA levels. Moreover, baicalein inhibited inflammatory responses, targeting IL-6, IL-...