Anti-inflammatory, counteractive, and preventive effects of orally administrated oat extracts on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

The anti-inflammatory effects of oat extracts in vitro and in vivo were determined based on antioxidant functions. To examine the effect of oat extracts in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, MTT assays were used and nitric oxide (NO) production was analyzed based on absorbance and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression levels using Western blot analysis. Immunoglobulin expression levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oat extracts showed significant ( p <0.05) antioxidant properties and restored the cell viability of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, compared with controls. NO production and iNOS protein levels were also reduced by oat extracts. DSS (3%)-administered mice manifested symptoms similar to human colitis patients, and oat extracts attenuated the symptoms of colitis. Preventive and therapeutic administration of oat extracts used as antioxidants can ameliorate inflammatory conditions in cells and DSS-induced colitis in mice.