Bioactive properties of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai essential oil and its protective effect against intestinal inflammation

Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, exhibits various biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the biological activities of its volatile oil components are not well understood. This study was aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Sarcandra glabra essential oil (SGEO) and explore its potential protective effect on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced intestinal inflammatory injury in mice. First, GC-MS was used to identify and quantify the components of SGEO. Its antioxidant activity was assessed by evaluating its free radical scavenging ability. The antibacterial mechanism of SGEO against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was explored by examining changes in MRSA ultrastructure, leakage of cellular contents, ROS levels, and biofilm formation. Next, the protective effects of SGEO (400 and 1200 mg/kg) on intestinal inflammatory damage in mice were evaluated by analyzing physiological parameters, immune and antioxidant responses, jejunal histology, and Tight junction (TJ) protein expression levels. The microbial composition in the cecal contents of mice was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing, and the content of short-chain fatty acids was measured by HPLC. SGEO exhibits strong antioxidant activity and inhibits MRSA growth by disrupting the MRSA cell membrane structure, inducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting biofilm formation. Additionally, SGEO alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammatory damage in mice by increasing the expression of TJ proteins and regulating the intestinal microecological environment.