“5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone from Bauhinia variegata exerts anti‑inflammatory and protective actions in LPS‑challenged rat intestine”

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavanone (TMF), a bioactive compound isolated from Bauhinia variegata Linn., on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury in rats. Chronic intestinal inflammation was induced by repeated LPS administration, and the therapeutic potential of TMF in alleviating the associated damage was assessed. Male rats were subjected to chronic intestinal inflammation via repeated intraperitoneal administration of LPS at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight once daily for 4 weeks. Simultaneously, the test group received daily oral administration of TMF at 75 mg/kg body weight from day one after 4 weeks of induction of intestinal inflammation until the end of the experiment. Histopathological examination of the intestines, along with biochemical assays for inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and tissue integrity, were performed to evaluate the protective effects of TMF. Comparisons between the LPS-treated control group and the TMF-treated group were made to assess the reductions in inflammation and intestinal injury. TMF therapy diminished LPS-induced Nuclear Factor kappa B(NF-κB) activation and inhibited the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, thereby reducing oxidative stress. These data indicate that TMF provides protective effects by regulating critical inflammatory and oxidative processes associated with LPS-induced intestinal damage. In conclusion, TMF from B. variegata has been demonstrated to be a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage, suggesting a natural method for addressing inflammation-induced gut lesions. Additional research is necessary to investigate its clinical applicability in inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal conditions.