Anti-inflammatory effects of cellulose nanofiber made from pear in inflammatory bowel disease model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cellulose nanofibers from Japanese pear (P-CNF) on acute IBD by using a mouse model of this disorder. Furthermore, using this mouse model, we compared the effects between P-CNF and cellulose nanofibers from wood (W-CNF).P-CNF suppressed shortening of the colon length and improved the histological tissue injury in the mice. It also suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and fibrosis of the colon, as well as the myeloperoxidase activation of inflammatory cells such as leukocytes. On the other hand, W-CNF did not improve the histological tissue injury, or suppress shortening of the colon length, colon inflammation, and fibrosis in the mice. These results revealed that P-CNF has anti-inflammatory effects in the experimental IBD mouse model. Our results indicate that P-CNF could be a potential source of new dietary fiber for patients with IBD.