Whole Montmorency Tart Cherry Smoothie Improves Disease Activity Index in Rat Model of DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Downregulating the Janus Kinase 1 and Interleukin-17A

Montmorency tart cherries (TC; <i>Prunus cerasus</i>) are a good source of anti-inflammatory flavonoids. The aim of this research was to evaluate the protective effect of TC against ulcerative colitis (UC) in a rat model. The anthocyanin profile and content of TC were analyzed by UHPLC-PDA-MS. Rats were randomly assigned to one of eight groups (<i>n</i> = 6 in each group). UC was induced by adding 4% dextran sulfate solution (DSS) to the drinking water for 5 days. For the prevention, intervention, or treatment group, TC was administered orally in one or two servings (155 or 310 g of cherries/70 kg body weight/day) for 2 weeks prior to DSS administration, during the DSS administration, or after the DSS administration. Cytokines were determined by multiplex bead assay. Cyanidin-3-glucosyl-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were the major anthocyanins in TC extracts. TC at one or two servings reduced leukocyte infiltration in the colon. TC, as a prevention, intervention, or treatment, significantly reduced the secretion of myeloperoxidase, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12/p40, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and increased the secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and JAK3. IL-1β was not significantly reduced by TC. Whole TC improved intestinal barrier function/disease activity index in UC by inhibiting IL-17A, IL-6, IL-12/p40, JAK1, and TNF-α and increasing IL-10 and JAK3 in UC rat models. TC was not inflammatory in control rats. TC has clinical potential for the treatment of UC.