Liriodendron attenuates intestinal fibrosis and inflammation in mice with radiation proctopathy

Radiotherapy (RT) is a commonly employed therapeutic approach for malignant tumors located in the abdomen. However, radiation proctopathy (RP) is a significant side effect that occurs during RT, and there are limited pharmaceutical interventions available. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Liriodendron, a primary extract derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Fibraureae Caulis, in the prevention and treatment of radiation proctopathy. We established a mouse model of radiation proctopathy through local irradiation and analyzed various clinicopathological measures over the subsequent eight weeks. Our findings indicate that both the Liriodendron gavage group and the Liriodendron enema group exhibited a reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, as determined by transcriptome sequencing analysis and ELISA examination. Furthermore, Liriodendron administration led to a decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic cells in the intestinal tissue of mice. MASSON staining and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Liriodendron could reduce the expression of α-SMA in rectal tissue and the extent of intestinal fibrosis in mice with radiation proctopathy. In conclusion, this study suggests that Liriodendron holds potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of RP.

Graphical Abstract