NF-κB/twist mediated regulation of colonic inflammation by lupeol in abating dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis in mice

Due to the idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and ulcerative colitis, there is an increased risk of colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Chemoprevention remains vital and much interest has been focused on targetable inflammatory proteins associated with IBD. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis mimics human IBD in mouse, which is used as a model to determine the action of Lupeol (a triterpene), found in certain fruits and Indian herbs, in the healing of colitis. DSS causes chronic inflammation of the colonic epithelium by altering mucosal immune system i.e. mucins and inflammatory proteins namely TNF-α, IL 1 and 2 and NF-κB. Lupeol supplement to colitis mice, showed colonic regeneration by altering the MUC 1 & 2 gene expression. Lupeol also modulates TWIST gene expression, NF-κB, mediated inflammation and assists down regulation of TNF-α and IL genes. Thus Lupeol has potent colonic healing activity and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in controlling colitis.