Polydatin protects against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via Nrf2/Slc7a11/Gpx4-dependent inhibition of ferroptosis signalling activation

Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory irritable bowel disease, is characterized by a recurrent and persistent nonspecific inflammatory response. Polydatin (PD), a natural stilbenoid polyphenol with potent properties, exhibits unexpected beneficial effects beyond its well-documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, we presented evidence that PD confers protection against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. Methods The protective effect of PD on colitis was examined in cultured caco-2 cells and DSS-induced colitis mouse model. Bulk RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were used to investigate the protective mechanism of PD on DSS-induced colitis. Ferroptosis was determined by MDA levels, SOD levels, mitochondrial iron accumulation and ROS production. Ferroptosis-related proteins Slc7a11, Nrf2 and Gpx4 levels were measured by western blot, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Results PD mitigated the DSS-induced increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), alleviated colon length shortening, reduced morphological damage to the intestinal mucosa, and preserved tight junction proteins (TJ) occludin and Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in both caco-2 cells and murine models of colitis. Mechanistically, PD reversed the reduction of Nrf2, Slc7a11 and Gpx4, the degree of nuclear translocation of Nrf2 induced by DSS in vitro and in vivo significantly. Moreover, the protective effect of PD is attenuated by erastin and resembled that of Fer-1 in caco-2 cells model. Discussion Our study suggested that PD protects against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis via Nrf2/Slc7a11/Gpx4-dependent inhibition of ferroptosis signalling activation. Further investigation into the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon is warranted. The findings presented herein indicated that PD may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for patients with UC.