Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) represent gastrointestinal (GI) disorders associated with varied responses to microbial and environmental agents. Natural compounds have been suggested as a valid approach to the management of various GI diseases, particularly the green alga Ulva pertusa, belonging to the Ulvaceae family, which showed powerful biological properties. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect and the mechanism of Ulva pertusa treatments in a murine model of DNBS-induced colitis. Colitis was induced by DNBS intrarectal installation (4 mg in 100 μL of 50% ethanol), while Ulva pertusa treatments (doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) were administered orally daily. Ulva pertusa, at the higher doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, significantly reduced tissue damage DNBS-induced and the consequent inflammatory cascade via NF-κB inhibition. Furthermore, we demonstrated, for the first time, Ulva pertusa action on the SIRT1/Nrf2 axis, enhancing antioxidant response and the modulation of the apoptosis pathway colitis-induced, regulating the expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspases. Taken together, Ulva pertusa could be considered a valid approach for counteracting and blocking the progression of IBDs through modulation of the NF-κB/SIRT1/Nrf2 axis.