EXPLORING THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF THINNED APPLE POLYPHENOLS: MECHANISTIC PROTEOMICS INSIGHTS INTO DNBS-INDUCED COLITIS MODEL IN MICE

ABSTRACT: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with increasing incidence worldwide. Current treatments, such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids, provide partial symptom relief but are associated to significant side effects. This highlights the need for novel therapies with fewer adverse effects. Given the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in driving tissue damage during colitis, natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are promising therapeutic candidates. We identified thinned apples (TA), an agricultural by-product, as a rich source of polyphenols (TAP) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in a cell-based model of inflammation. This study evaluates TAP’s therapeutic potential in a DNBS-induced colitis mouse model using label-free quantitative proteomics. Proteomic analysis revealed modulation of several key pathways influenced by TAP treatment, including: (i) activation of antioxidant defence mechanisms; (ii) reversal of DNBS-induced pathways, specifically ferroptosis and heme toxicity; (iii) suppression of immune responses; and (iv) reduction of ulcerative conditions with downregulation of proteins involved in coagulation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Overall, TAP demonstrated significant therapeutic potential by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting its use as a polyphenol-rich extract in health products for UC treatment. Furthermore, utilizing TA as a bioactive extract represents an innovative approach for industrial applications in therapeutic agent production.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus (mouse)

TISSUE(S): Colon

DISEASE(S): Ulcerative Colitis

SUBMITTER: Alessandra Altomare  

LAB HEAD: Alessandra Altomare

PROVIDER: PXD056914 | Pride | 2026-02-23

REPOSITORIES: Pride