Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of <i>Dioscorea cirrhosa</i> Lour. <i>n</i>-butanol fractions in ulcerative colitis: a dual administration approach with comprehensive mucosal protection and anti-inflammatory effects

This study systematically evaluated the intestinal mucosal protective effects of <i>Dioscorea cirrhosa</i> Lour. tuber’s <i>n</i>-butanol fraction (rich in condensed tannins) against DSS-induced colitis using dual intragastric and enema administration. Analytical approaches included Disease Activity Index (DAI), haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. LC-MS/MS identified the chemical constituents. Administering the DC <i>n</i>-butanol fractions through both routes significantly alleviated colitis symptoms (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), including weight loss, and colon shortening. Histological analysis revealed reduced epithelial damage, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased goblet cell numbers with enhanced mucus production. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) were markedly suppressed (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, combined administration more effectively upregulated tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) and MUC2 expression, thereby reinforcing intestinal mucosal barrier integrity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of <i>D. cirrhosa</i> fractions in ulcerative colitis management through dual anti-inflammatory and barrier-enhancing mechanisms.