Therapeutic impact of polysaccharide from Chinese yam (<i>Dioscorea opposita Thunb</i>) on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

While yam polysaccharide (YP) demonstrates diverse biological activities, its anti-inflammatory mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized. This study systematically investigates the therapeutic efficacy of YP in ulcerative colitis (UC) through integrated in vitro and in vivo approaches. YP was purified from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. via ethanol precipitation, followed by cytotoxicity profiling. In Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6), YP significantly attenuated proinflammatory responses. For in vivo validation, a murine colitis model was established through dextran sulfate sodium administration in drinking water. Systematic macroscopic and histopathological assessments revealed that YP treatment reduced colon shortening and mitigated crypt architectural distortion. Further analyses combining H&E staining, immunofluorescence, and western blotting demonstrated that YP exerts anti-inflammatory effects through upregulating interleukin-10 expression. These findings position YP as a multifaceted modulator of intestinal inflammation, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for UC management.