Figure 2.

Madecassic acid restored the T helper type 17/regulatory T cell balance in mice with DSS-induced colitis. Mice were fed with 2.5% DSS for 7 days and then given normal water for 3 days. Madecassic acid (12.5, 25 mg/kg) and cyclosporin A (25 mg/kg) were orally administered for 10 days. (a) DAI. (b) Colon length. (c) MPO activity. (d) H&E staining. (e) The proportions of CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺ T cells, CD4⁺IL-4⁺ T cells, CD4⁺IL-17⁺ T cells and CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells were detected by flow cytometry. (f and g) The mRNA and protein levels of transcription factors T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt and Foxp3 in the colons were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blot. (h and i) The levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22 and IL-10 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR. GAPDH was used as a cytoplasm marker. The data were expressed as means±S.E.M., n=5–8. ^##P<0.01 versus normal group; *P<0.05, **P<0.01 versus DSS group