Effects of Sanghuang Extract on Candida albicans Colonization and Intestinal Inflammation in a DSS-Induced Colitis Mouse Model

Sanghuangporus sanghuang (Sanghuang) extract, obtained from the medicinal and edible fungus Sanghuang, was examined for its inhibitory effects against Candida albicans and its potential role in mitigating intestinal inflammation related to ulcerative colitis (UC). Its anti-Candida albicans activity was assessed by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), evaluating its ability to suppress biofilm formation, and observing fungal morphological changes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC and intestinal Candida albicans (C. albicans) colonization, fungal burden, intestinal inflammation, mucosal injury, intestinal bacterial community composition, and related signaling pathways were assessed. Sanghuang extract inhibited C. albicans growth and suppressed biofilm formation. SEM further revealed reduced hyphal development and disruption of cell surface morphology following treatment. In vivo, Sanghuang administration ameliorated UC-related phenotypes, with descriptive decreasing trends in fecal C. albicans burden, less severe colonic injury, and lower colonic levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, accompanied by changes in intestinal bacterial community composition. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that pathways associated with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) may participate in this process. Molecular docking yielded predicted interactions of caffeic acid with PTGS2, EGFR, PIK3CA, AKT1, and mTOR. qRT-PCR further showed that Sanghuang extract reduced the colonic mRNA expression of Pik3ca, Akt1, and Mtor. These findings provide experimental evidence that Sanghuang extract exerts antifungal activity in vitro and is associated with changes in fecal C. albicans burden and colitis-associated inflammatory responses in this mouse model.