Glabridin ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation in a bovine intestinal cell line and a colitis mouse model

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) adversely affects the intestinal health and mucosal barrier function in dairy cows. Glabridin (Glab), a natural flavonoid derived from licorice, has been shown to mitigate stress-related damage due to its antioxidant properties. Aims: This study aims to assess the impact of Glab on OS-induced damage in the bovine immortalized cell line (BIECs-21), validate its effectiveness in vivo, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The in vitro OS model of BIECs-21 was established using 400 μM H2O2. The study evaluated cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, oxidative markers, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis in BIECs-21 under various treatment conditions. Additionally, the effects of Glab were investigated in a murine model of experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Results: Glab improved cell viability, reduced LDH release, and mitigated the adverse effects of H2O2 on total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that H2O2 exposure resulted in decreased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), NADPH quinine oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), while it increased the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), ultimately leading to apoptosis in BIECs-21. Notably, Glab supplementation partially reversed these effects. Similar benefits of Glab were observed in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model. Conclusion: Glab reduces OS-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing inflammation.