Oolong Tea Extracts Alleviated Dextran Sulfate Solidum‐Induced Ulcerative Colitis Associated With Gut Microbiota–SCFAs–IL‐22 Axis

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of oolong tea extracts (OTEs) on colitis and explore its underlying mechanism. In the mice model, OTE effectively attenuated the dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis by preserving intestinal barrier integrity, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating inflammatory cytokines. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that OTE altered the gut microbiota structure and composition, as evidenced by the reduction of pathogenic bacteria and the increase in probiotic bacteria. Antibiotic‐treated pseudo‐germ‐free model and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment suggested the potential involvement of gut microbiota in OTE's anti‐colitis effect. Further analysis indicated that this protective effect may be mediated by the enrichment of SCFAs‐producing bacteria by OTE, which was associated with elevated IL‐22 secretion via the SCFAs‐mediated AHR/ p ‐STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating intestinal inflammation. Overall, OTE alleviated colitis potentially through gut microbiota–SCFAs–IL‐22 axis. These findings suggest a promising application of oolong tea and a potential therapeutic strategy for colitis intervention.