CircRNA-Centric ceRNA Network Profiling Reveals Potential Targets of Andrographolide in Murine Ulcerative Colitis

Andrographolide (Andro) is a major bioactive component of Andrographis paniculata, a medicinal and edible plant with anti-inflammatory effects. However, its effects against ulcerative colitis (UC) and circRNA-related mechanism(s) remain unclear. We established the UC mice model by administrating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 14 days. Treatment with Andro for the last 7 days markedly reversed the shortened colon length, decreased the DAI, and abnormal expression of genes related to inflammation and barriers. Besides, sequencing and qRT-PCR revealed circAsxl2 was upregulated in the DSS group while downregulated after Andro treatment. Moreover, knockdown of circAsxl2 corrected gene expression related to inflammation and barriers in lipopolysaccharide-induced HT-29 cells. Then, miRNA and DEmRNAs associated with circAsxl2 were predicted and used to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, in which DEmRNAs mRNA was enriched in immune-related pathways by KEGG. Therefore, Andro possesses the potential to serve as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and management of UC.