Fig. 1.

Berberine (Ber) promotes recovery of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal injury and inflammation in mice. Mice were treated with 3% DSS in drinking water for 4 days to induce colitis, then mice were provided water alone for 3 days for recovery (3DR) before euthanasia (DSS4D3DR). Mice were treated with 3% DSS for 7 days, then water for 4 and 6 days for recovery (4DR and 5DR) before euthanasia (DSS7D4DR and DSS7D6DR). Berberine solubilized in water was administered through gavage for the 3-day (DSS4D3DR+Ber), the 4-day (DSS7D4DR+ Ber), and the 6-day (DSS7D6DR+Ber) recovery period (A). Control mice received water alone. Body weights of mice were measured every day and are presented as percentage of original body weight (B). MPO activity in the colonic tissue was detected (C). Paraffin-embedded colon sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for light microscopic assessment of epithelial damage (D). Colon injury/inflammation scores are shown (E). The length of colon was measured when mice were euthanized (F). In B, *P < 0.05 compared with the percentage of original body weight at the same day in DSS-treated group. In C, E, and F, *P < 0.05 compared with water group, #P < 0.05 compared with DSS4D3DR, DSS7D4DR, or DSS7D6DR group. &P < 0.05 compared with DSS4D3DR or DSS7D6DR group.