Indirubin, a Constituent of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Qing-Dai, Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Murine Colitis

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BACKGROUND: Indirubin, a constituent of the Chinese herbal medicine "Qing-Dai," has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of indirubin for ameliorating colonic inflammation in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis were treated with indirubin in their diet. Clinical and histologic changes were evaluated. In addition, colon levels of interleukin-6, a critical pro-inflammatory mediator, was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CONCLUSION: Our study clearly showed that oral intake of indirubin can improve murine DSS-induced colitis (which mimics human inflammatory bowel disease).