Diallyl trisulfide suppresses dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colitis: NF-κB and STAT3 as potential targets

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), one of the volatile constituents of garlic oil, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. In this study, DATS (10 μmol) given orally for 7 days before and for another 7 days after starting administration of 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water protected against colitis induced by DSS in male ICR mice. DATS significantly inhibited the DSS-induced DNA binding of NF-κB, phosphorylation of IκBα and the expression of pro-inflammatory proteins, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, which are major target proteins of NF-κB. The DSS-induced DNA binding and phosphorylation at the Tyr 705 residue of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and expression of its major target protein cyclin D1 in mouse colonic mucosa were also attenuated by DATS administration. Likewise, DSS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was suppressed by DATS treatment. In conclusion, DATS ameliorates the DSS-induced mouse colitis presumably by blocking inflammatory signaling mediated by NF-κB and STAT3.