Hericium caput-medusae (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Fermentation concentrate polysaccharide ameliorate diarrhea in DSS-induced early colitis by modulating ion channel

Diagram of the mechanism by which HFP alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis diarrhea. HFP decreases ANO1 protein expression to reduce intestinal fluid secretion and increases ENaC, NHE3, NKCC1 protein expression to promote fluid absorption. HFP also decreases the degree of inflammation and reduces the level of inflammatory mediators (PGE2, 5-HT, IL-1β, TNF-α) to regulate ion channel activity. Meanwhile, HFP increases mucus layer thickness and tight junction protein expression in the early stage of inflammation to alleviate DSS-induced colonic injury and suppress diarrhea. [Display omitted] •HFP alleviated the mucosal damage and reduction of mucus layer thickness caused by DSS.•HFP alleviated diarrhea symptoms by regulating ion channel protein expression and slowing intestinal transit.•HFP regulated ion transport by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathway protein phosphorylation and decreasing inflammatory mediator expression. Diarrhea with physical weakness is a highly prevalent symptom in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Based on the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) -induced mouse ulcerative colitis model, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect and the possible mechanism of Hericium caput-medusae (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. fermentation concentrate polysaccharide (HFP) on diarrhea in mice. HFP alleviated DSS-induced symptoms in ulcerative colitis mice, including elevated body weight, increased colonic length as well as mucus layer thickness, and relief of diarrhea. Daily assays revealed that HFP regulated the expression and activity of intestinal ion transport proteins as well as alleviated inflammation. HFP could also reduce the rate of intestinal transit and improved the expression of the tight junction. In summary, HFP had a palliative effect on diarrhea in DSS-induced preliminary stage of ulcerative colitis, which basically make HFP a promising drug for the relief of ulcerative colitis diarrhea.