Canavalia gladiata and Arctium lappa extracts ameliorate dextran sulphate sodium-induced inflammatory bowel disease by enhancing immune responses

Canavalia gladiata (C. gladiata) and Arctium lappa (A. lappa), used in traditional medicine and food. However, their preventive effects in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unclear. We found that the C. gladiata and A. lappa mixture suppressed inflammation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The mixture increased the population and activation of immune cells, up-regulation of cell cycle, and induction of IgA and IgG production in wild-type mice. Furthermore, the extract mixture prevented clinical IBD symptoms and restored IgA production in IBD mice. Similarly, a mixture of the marker compounds, chicoric acid and lupeol, ameliorated IBD-associated clinical signs, improved the population and activation of immune cells and functional defects in natural killer (NK) cells and reduced production of IgA in these mice. In conclusion, the C. gladiata and A. lappa mixture ameliorated progression of DSS-induced IBD by enhancing immune responses and recovering functional immune cell defects.