Polysaccharide from Asimina triloba fruits alleviates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by modulating inflammatory signaling and gut microbiota

The treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains a clinical challenge due to its frequent recurrence, underscoring the urgent need for novel functional food-based therapeutic strategies. In this study, a polysaccharide (ATP-W-1) was isolated from Asimina triloba fruit, structurally characterized, and evaluated for its therapeutic efficiency in a DSS-induced UC mouse model. ATP-W-1, with a molecular weight of 164,504 g/mol, was composed of mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. In vivo study revealed that ATP-W-1 significantly ameliorated UC symptoms by preventing body weight loss and modulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) expression. Specifically, it downregulated IL-6 and TNF-α associated with the NF-κB pathway and restoration of epithelial barrier integrity, as evidenced by increased expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin 1, ZO-1, and Occludin). Furthermore, ATP-W-1 positively modulated the gut microbiota composition and enhanced the prodcution of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), thereby contributing to the reestablishment of intestinal homeostasis. Collectively, these findings highlight that ATP-W-1 is a promising functional food ingredient with therapeutic potential for UC prevention and management.