Cryptotanshinone alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mouse by regulating the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and M1 macrophage activation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease has become a global disease in the 21st century, with increasing incidence rates in almost every industrialized country. Previous studies have suggested that the traditional Chinese medicine herb, cryptotanshinone (CTN), a major liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, alleviates the symptoms of experimental colitis in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of CTN against IBD remain exclusive. The present study found that CTN reversed lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human colon epithelial cells (HIEC-6) by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. In addition, CTN alleviated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease in mice by regulating the balance of TH17/Treg cells. CTN also exerted its role by inhibiting the polarization of M1 macrophages in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Of note, the effects of CTN on these immune cells may be mediated via changes in the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 directly in mice. Taken together, these findings may provide new insight regarding the therapeutic potential of CTN for UC.