Pharmacological Properties of Fructooligosaccharides Modulates the Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Gastrointestinal Tract Inflammation in Mice

Abstract

Objective: The gut is a neuroendocrine-immune organ, vulnerable to stress, and toxic agents, including
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leading to gut dysbiosis and inflammation. The aim of present study was to evaluate the
pharmacological properties of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) against the LPS-induced gut inflammation
in mice. Materials and Methods: The Swiss albino mice (female, 8 weeks) were divided into following four
groups (n = 6/group): Group-I/Control: received saline (0.9% NaCl), (II) Group-II/LPS (1 mg/kg for 5 days,
intraperitoneal), Group-III/LPS+FOS (LPS 1 mg/kg for 5 days followed by FOS 2 g/kg for 28 days), and
Group-IV/FOS (FOS 2 g/kg for 28 days, through oral gavaging). Results: The LPS exposure significantly
decreased the body and gut weight compared to control which, after the FOS treatment, increased to control level.
In LPS-exposed mice, the decreased of gut associated superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was enhanced
and normalized by FOS. Similarly, LPS-induced the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α level were
also decreased to control level after FOS treatment. Moreover, LPS exposure caused various histopathological
alterations in gut, such as lesions of epithelial layer, edema of villi, and disruption of goblet cells, in which
FOS modulated. Conclusion: The pharmacological prebiotic FOS shows the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory
properties which modulated the LPS-induced gut toxicity by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress and
improving histological architecture.