Butein effects in colitis and interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression

Figure 1 Experimental protocol for the interleukin-10^-/--piroxicam colitis model. IL: Interleukin; ip: Intraperitoneal injection.

Figure 2 Butein treatment ameliorates colitis. A and B: Body weight and colon length between the two groups revealed a significant difference; C: Hematoxylin and eosin stain of Swiss rolls showing ulcers and inflammation; D: Histologic score of mice treated with butein or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 9 per group). PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline.

Figure 3 Expression of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the colons of interleukin-10^-/- mice. Relative expression levels of mRNA were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data are expressed as mean ± SE; n = 5 per group; ^aP < 0.05 vs control. IL: Interleukin.

Figure 4 Butein treatment decreased mucosal expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in interleukin-10^-/- mice. A: Immunohistochemical staining for phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 detected nuclei of epithelial cells or stromal cells of interleukin (IL)-10^-/- mice (black arrows); B: Western blot analysis revealed reduced pSTAT3 protein expression in intestinal epithelial cells of butein-treated IL-10^-/- mice (n = 3). PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline.

Figure 5 Immunohistochemistry for BrdU incorporation. A and B: Immunohistochemisty for BrdU incorporation revealed no significant difference in proliferation of the intestinal epithelial cells between the two groups. PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline.

Figure 6 Butein inhibited the interleukin-6-induced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in Colo 205 cells. A: Colo 205 cells were treated with various concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6; B: Colo 205 cells were treated with IL-6 for various times; C: Expression levels of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3), were measured by Western blot analysis after pretreating Colo 205 cells with IL-6 (25 ng/mL) for 1 h prior to butein treatment for 24 h at various concentrations (n = 3).