Polysaccharide of Hericium erinaceus attenuates colitis in C57BL/6 mice via regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation-related signaling pathways and modulating the composition of the gut microbiota

Hericium erinaceus, is a mushroom with edible values and medicinal properties. Here we reported the anti-inflammatory effect of polysaccharide of H. erinaceus (HECP) in the model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. HECP improved clinical symptoms, down regulated oxidative stresses, and suppressed the secretion of inflammatory factors. The mechanism by which it inhibits colitis in mice is blocking phosphorylation of NF-κB, MAPK and Akt in DSS-treated mice. Beside, HECP also modulated the distribution of the intestinal flora and restored the relative abundances of vital bacteria including Clostridiales, Akkermansia as well as Desulfovibrio, and prevented the imbalance of gut microbiota in DSS-induced colitis.158