The combination of indirubin and isatin attenuates dextran sodium sulfate induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Indirubin and isatin have been used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of indirubin and isatin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). UC was induced by administration of 3% (w/v) DSS solution and then the model mice were administered indirubin (10 mg/kg) or/and isatin (10 mg/kg) by gavage once daily for a week. The results showed that indirubin or/and isatin significantly inhibited weight loss, lowered disease activity index (DAI), ameliorated pathological changes, decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine and Foxp3 expression, suppressed CD4+ T cell infiltration, and inhibited oxidative stress and epithelial cell apoptosis. Additionally, indirubin or/and isatin can also inhibited the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways induced by DSS. The protective effect of combination therapy against UC wa...