To mitigate intestinal inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis, arabinoxylan, a substance found in sugarcane bagasse, can be employed. Staff from Nanchang University (NCU) reached this conclusion following a study whose findings were featured in the journal Food & Function (F&F).
Ulcerative colitis is a persistent ailment affecting the bowels, which leads to the formation of ulcers on the lining of the large intestine. This inflammation can manifest as abdominal discomfort, digestive disturbances, and the presence of blood in feces.
Tests conducted on mice demonstrated that arabinoxylan lessened the intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium. This polysaccharide compound is utilized in biochemical and pharmacological studies as an agent to trigger experimental colitis, thereby enabling the examination of drug impacts on the gut microbiome.
Rodents given this supplement exhibited improvements in body weight, disease activity index, and large intestine length. Concurrently, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased, and the integrity of the mucosal lining was restored.
The most pronounced impact of arabinoxylan was observed in its effect on microbiota. The supplement prompted shifts in the composition of gut bacteria, specifically increasing the proportion of potentially beneficial genera while reducing the number of bacteria linked to inflammation.
The researchers emphasize that since this study was conducted on animals, it is premature to assert a therapeutic benefit for humans. Nevertheless, the research has highlighted the prospective role of plant-based dietary fiber as a means to support gut health in cases of inflammatory bowel conditions.
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