Rauvolfia Verticillata Pectic Polysaccharides Alleviate Inflammation-Associated Colorectal Cancer and Correlate with Modulation of Gut Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism, and NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathways.

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly common in younger individuals and strongly linked to chronic inflammation. Gut microbiota and pathways like NF-κB/STAT3 play key roles, which highlights the therapeutic potential of natural compounds that target intestinal immunity and microbial balance. Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of pectic polysaccharides (PPs) from Rauvolfia verticillata in inflammation-associated CRC via the modulation of of gut microbiota and NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathways. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced CRC and treated with PP (100 mg/kg/day), the STAT3 inhibitor W2014-S (10 mg/kg), or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from PP-treated donors. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot, immunofluorescence (IF), 16S rRNA sequencing, and SCFA analysis were performed to assess inflammation, signaling pathways, gut microbiota composition, and metabolic changes. Results: PP intervention significantly mitigated AOM/DSS-induced weight loss, intestinal lesions, and disease activity index (DAI) scores while suppressing NF-κB and STAT3 activation. PP restored gut microbiota diversity, reduced pro-inflammatory genera, and regulated SCFA levels, particularly hexanoic those of and isohexanoic acids. FMT from PP-treated donors similarly attenuated colitis and inhibited NF-κB/STAT3 pathways. Conclusions: PP alleviates CRC and is associated with modulation of gut microbiota, SCFA metabolism, and NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammation-driven CRC.