Protective effects of yacon syrup powder on colonic interleukin-23 and leukocyte infiltration profile in TNBS-induced colitis mouse model

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) causes gastrointestinal tract dysregulation and triggers inflammation. Severe inflammatory events often lead to leukocyte infiltration. Yacon is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential alternative treatment for colitis. AIMS: To investigate colonic Interleukin-23 (IL-23) level and leukocyte infiltration profile in 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mouse model treated with yacon syrup powder. METHODS: Thirty male BALB/c mice (5 weeks old, body weight: 30.02±1.28 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups (K1-K6). Intra-rectal administration of TNBS was performed to K2-K6 to make the colitis model. K4-K6 were given yacon syrup powder daily for 14 days with the dose of 0.165, 0.331, and 0.662 g/30 g body weight (BW) respectively. IL-23 levels of colonic tissue were measured using ELISA. Leukocyte infiltration profile was calculated through microscopic observation of histology slides and presented in percentage and degree. RESULTS: Significantly different IL-23 levels were observed among the groups (P <  0.001). The percentage and degree of leukocyte infiltration in yacon-treated groups showed a significant decrease compared to colitis groups (P <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Yacon syrup powder provides beneficial effects on colitis mice by lowering the IL-23 level and number of leukocytes at the inflammation site.