Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and/or Bifidobacterium longum exert anti-inflammation and modulate gut microbiota in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a bowel disease with intestinal inflammation. This study investigated the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) and/or Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 (OLP-01) in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced UC. Rats were divided into 5 groups: normal, DSS-induced UC, UC treated with LBP (100 mg/kg bw), UC treated with OLP-01 (2 × 10 9 CFU/kg bw), and UC treated with combined LBP (50 mg/kg bw) and OLP-01 (1 × 10 9 CFU/kg bw) groups. Treatments were given by gavage feeding for 39 days. Treatment with LBP reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score, ameliorated histological change, and restored colon length. The abundance of gut bacterial genera in the families Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Saccharimonadaceae was increased by LBP. Treatment with OLP-01 decreased DAI score, mitigated histological change, and lowered IL-6 and COX-2 levels, but enriched Ruminococcusₜorquesgroup. Combined LBP and OLP-01 reduced DAI score, ameliorated histological change, and decreased IL-17 A, IL-6, and COX-2 levels, but enhanced the abundance of Akkermansia, Blautia and Ruminococcusₜorquesgroup. Therefore, LBP and/or OLP-01 alleviated colonic damage in DSS-induced UC rats. OLP-01, either alone or in combination with LBP, demonstrated protective effects on anti-inflammation and modulation of gut microbiota in UC rats. • Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) restore colon length shortening. • LBP increase Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Saccharimonadaceae in UC rats. • Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 lower IL-6 and COX-2 in UC rats. • Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 enriches Ruminococcusₜorquesgroup in UC rats. • LBP and OLP-01 lower IL-17A, IL-6, and COX-2, and increase Akkermansia and Blautia.