Konjac glucomannan assisted curcumin alleviated Dextran sulfate sodium-induced mice colitis via regulating immune response and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity

Curcumin has been proved to be an effective strategy to reduce inflammatory responses. However, low bioavailability and instability at physiological pH have limited its anti-inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients. In the present study, the complex of curcumin and konjac glucomannan (KGM) could inhibit intestinal inflammation more effectively and this effect was associated with KGM degradation degrees. Results demonstrated that treatment with complex markedly mitigated colitis symptoms and decreased the inflammatory cytokines levels, especially in the complex treatment groups with K110 (KGM treated in 110 ℃) and konjac oligosaccharides (KOS). Furthermore, increasing KOS content in KOC (complex of curcumin and KOS) promoted the gene expressions of intestinal barrier and inhibited the gene expressions of inflammatory cytokines as well as improved gut microbiota dysregulation. Overall, our researches suggest that the complex of curcumin and KGM exerts more effective anti-inflammatory effects via regulating the intestinal immune response and modulating microbiota diversity and composition.