<i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>, a marine alga, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. This study explored the mecha...

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Main Authors: Qunzhe Wang, Yuri Im, Jumin Park, Hye Lim Lee, Dae Gon Ryu, Hyemee Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/714
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author Qunzhe Wang
Yuri Im
Jumin Park
Hye Lim Lee
Dae Gon Ryu
Hyemee Kim
author_facet Qunzhe Wang
Yuri Im
Jumin Park
Hye Lim Lee
Dae Gon Ryu
Hyemee Kim
author_sort Qunzhe Wang
collection DOAJ
description Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>, a marine alga, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. This study explored the mechanisms by which a 70% ethanol extract of <i>E. bicyclis</i> may alleviate UC, through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed eckol, 7-phloroeckol, dieckol, phlorofucofuroeckol A, and fucofuroeckol as key phenolic compounds present in the extract. The administration of <i>E. bicyclis</i> significantly improved symptoms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model by reducing intestinal shortening, splenomegaly, and histological scores. Both cell and animal studies demonstrated that <i>E. bicyclis</i> suppressed the release of inflammatory cytokines, downregulated the mRNA expression of genes related to the mTOR pathway, and reduced the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio. Microbiota analysis revealed that, while the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was elevated in UC mice, <i>E. bicyclis</i> administration normalized this imbalance, with a notable increase in the abundance of beneficial probiotics such as <i>Bifidobacterium bifidum</i>. In conclusion, a phenolic-rich extract of <i>E. bicyclis</i> demonstrates significant potential as a dietary supplement to prevent and mitigate UC by modulating both the mTOR signaling pathway and gut microbiota composition.
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spelling doaj-art-4dc897ffe45c4404a7255262d3050dad2025-08-20T02:59:00ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-02-0114571410.3390/foods14050714<i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota CompositionQunzhe Wang0Yuri Im1Jumin Park2Hye Lim Lee3Dae Gon Ryu4Hyemee Kim5Department of Food Science and Nutrition & Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Food Science and Nutrition & Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Food Science and Nutrition & Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Food Science and Nutrition & Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaUlcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>, a marine alga, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut microbiota-modulating properties. This study explored the mechanisms by which a 70% ethanol extract of <i>E. bicyclis</i> may alleviate UC, through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed eckol, 7-phloroeckol, dieckol, phlorofucofuroeckol A, and fucofuroeckol as key phenolic compounds present in the extract. The administration of <i>E. bicyclis</i> significantly improved symptoms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model by reducing intestinal shortening, splenomegaly, and histological scores. Both cell and animal studies demonstrated that <i>E. bicyclis</i> suppressed the release of inflammatory cytokines, downregulated the mRNA expression of genes related to the mTOR pathway, and reduced the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio. Microbiota analysis revealed that, while the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was elevated in UC mice, <i>E. bicyclis</i> administration normalized this imbalance, with a notable increase in the abundance of beneficial probiotics such as <i>Bifidobacterium bifidum</i>. In conclusion, a phenolic-rich extract of <i>E. bicyclis</i> demonstrates significant potential as a dietary supplement to prevent and mitigate UC by modulating both the mTOR signaling pathway and gut microbiota composition.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/714<i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>ulcerative colitisanti-inflammatorymTOR axisintestinal flora disturbance
spellingShingle Qunzhe Wang
Yuri Im
Jumin Park
Hye Lim Lee
Dae Gon Ryu
Hyemee Kim
<i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
Foods
<i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>
ulcerative colitis
anti-inflammatory
mTOR axis
intestinal flora disturbance
title <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
title_full <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
title_fullStr <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
title_full_unstemmed <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
title_short <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i> Extract Ameliorates Colitis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models Through Modulation of mTOR Axis and Gut Microbiota Composition
title_sort i eisenia bicyclis i extract ameliorates colitis in in vitro and in vivo models through modulation of mtor axis and gut microbiota composition
topic <i>Eisenia bicyclis</i>
ulcerative colitis
anti-inflammatory
mTOR axis
intestinal flora disturbance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/714
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