Data underlying the research of: “Prevention of ulcerative colitis in mice by sweet tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius) via the regulation of gut microbiota and butyric acid-mediated anti-inflammatory signaling"

Sweet tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius [Hance] Chun) is a new resource for food raw materials with plenty of health functions. However, whether sweet tea can prevent ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effect and potential mechanism of sweet tea extract (STE) on UC in mice. 3% Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced UC mice were treated with either STE (100 and 400 mg/kg·bw), salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) or distilled water for 2 weeks. The severity of UC were mainly evaluated by disease activity index (DAI) score, colon inflammatory markers and colon histopathological examination. The proteins expression were explored by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid content were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and GC-MS metabolic assay, respectively.

甜茶（Lithocarpus litseifolius [Hance] Chun）是一种兼具多种保健功能的新型食品原料资源。然而，甜茶是否可用于预防溃疡性结肠炎（UC）目前仍不明确。本研究旨在探究甜茶提取物（STE）对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的预防作用及其潜在作用机制。本研究采用3%葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）诱导构建溃疡性结肠炎小鼠模型，随后分别以100 mg/kg·bw、400 mg/kg·bw剂量的甜茶提取物（STE）、柳氮磺吡啶（SASP）或蒸馏水对模型小鼠进行为期2周的干预处理。溃疡性结肠炎的病情严重程度主要通过疾病活动度指数（DAI）评分、结肠炎症标志物水平及结肠组织病理学检查进行评估。蛋白质表达水平通过免疫组化与蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot）进行分析。肠道菌群组成与短链脂肪酸含量分别通过16S rRNA测序及气相色谱-质谱联用（GC-MS）代谢组分析进行检测。