Scutellarein ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice via modulation of the intestinal barrier function, gut microbiota, and metabolites

Scutellarein is an active component derived from Scutellaria barbata and Erigeron breviscapus, which has been shown to alleviate pathological symptoms in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms by which scutellarein exerts its biological effects in UC have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, to assess the therapeutic impact of scutellarein, a mouse model of DSS-induced UC was utilized. Subsequently, 16s rDNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomic analysis of fecal samples were performed to reveal differential gut microbiota and metabolites.