Aqueous extract of Schizandra chinensis Suppresses dextran sulfate Sodiuminduced generation of IL-8 and ROS in the colonic epithelial cell line HT-29

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) play an important role in the mucosal immune system. IEC-derived mediators of inflammatory cascades play a principal role in the development of colon inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of Schizandra chinensis fruits (SC-Ex) on the production of inflammatory mediators by the human colonic epithelial cells. HT-29 cells were stimulated with dextran sulfate sodium in the presence or absence of SC-Ex to examine the cytoprotection and production of IL-8 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was shown that dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) caused the reduction of cell viability and production of IL-8 and ROS in DSS-treated HT-29 cells. We observed that the treatment of SC-Ex protected significantly cell proliferation from DSS-induced damage in dose-dependent manner. SC-Ex (10 and 100 μg/ml) also suppressed DSS-induced production of IL-8 mRNA and protein. Moreover, DSS-induced ROS production was inhibited markedly by the treatment of 100 μg/ml SC-Ex. These results suggest that SC-Ex has the protective effects on DSS-induced cell damage and the release of inflammatory mediators in the intestinal epithelial cells.