Cinnamon(Cinnamomum japonicum) subcritical water extract suppresses gut damage induced by dextran sodium sulfate in mouse colitis model

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease involves the breaking down of tight junctions and triggers leaky gut syndrome. In this study, we evaluated the effect of cinnamon subcritical water extract (CSE) on gut health improvement using a mouse colitis model induced by 5 % dextran sodium sulfate. The mice were treated with varying concentrations of CSE for 21 days and assessed. We examined histopathological changes, mRNA expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins, and alteration of the gut microbiome. CSE treatment improved clinical symptoms. Moreover, myeloperoxidase activity, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α protein, and mRNA expression were reduced in the CSE-treated groups. However, CSE increased the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins, such as ZO-1, occludin, mucin-1, mucin-2, and E-cadherin. In addition, CSE altered the microbiome to reduce inflammation. These results suggested that CSE could prevent dextran sodium sulfate sodium-induced colitis and disruption of the intestinal environment.