MIT-001, a Mitochondria-Targeted ROS Scavenger, Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis and Is Associated with Reduced HMGB1 and IL-1β Expression

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation in which excessive cell death and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) amplify mucosal injury. Although necrosis—particularly regulated forms including necroptosis and ferroptosis—has emerged as a contributor to IBD pathogenesis, the therapeutic potential of targeting necrotic cell death remains incompletely explored. We investigated whether MIT-001 (previously known as NecroX-7), a mitochondria-targeted reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger with anti-necrotic activity, ameliorates intestinal inflammation in an acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. In vitro, MIT-001 reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced necrotic cell death in IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells and was associated with a qualitative reduction in the 55-kDa cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) fragment (a marker of necrosis), with no apparent change in the apoptosis-related 89-kDa fragment. In vivo, oral administration of MIT-001 to C57BL/6 mice with DSS-induced colitis was associated with preservation of colon length, reduced histological injury, and a marked decrease in HMGB1-positive cells in colonic tissue. Among pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β expression was significantly reduced, while IL-12, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and TNF-α showed non-significant downward trends. These findings indicate that MIT-001 ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in association with reduced HMGB1 and IL-1β expression, supporting further investigation of mitochondria-targeted anti-necrotic strategies as a potential adjunctive approach in IBD.