Coriolus versicolor Suppresses Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Inhibiting the Expression of STAT1 and STAT6 Associated with IFN-γ and IL-4 Expression

To investigate the effects of Coriolus versicolor extract (CVE) on infl ammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis was induced in male BALb/c mice by administering drinking water containing dextran‐sulfate sodium (DSS). The mice were divided into the following four experimental groups: control, DSS‐induced colitis, CVE treatment and CVE treatment + DSS‐induced colitis. Mice receiving DSS treatment developed clinical and macroscopic signs of ulcerative colitis. However, treatment with CVE relieved the symptoms of IBD, including the decrease in body and organ weight. The levels of serum, spleen and mesenteric lymph node IgE in the CVE‐treated groups was lower compared with the untreated groups. The antiinfl ammatory response upon CVE treatment correlated with the reduced expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6. Also, there was a significant reduction in the expression of STAT1 and STAT6 molecules, thereby leading to lower IFN‐γ and IL‐4 expression. Therefore, the antiinfl ammatory effects of Coriolus versicolor can be explained by its ability to inhibit certain proinflammatory cytokines. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.