This work investigated the physiochemical characteristics and preventive effects of purified
pectin (H121, L13 and L102) with different esterification degrees on
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced
colitis in mice. Three doses of each type of
pectin were administered to C57BL/6J mice for 7 days before the DSS treatment, with
dextran and
mesalazine as positive controls. Results showed that pathological factors including the
body weight, the disease activity index (DAI), the colonic weight/length ratio and the organ index of the spleen were improved with pre-intervention of a high dose of L13 or L102. Further studies showed that administration of a low dose of L13, low dose and medium dose of L102 or
dextran improved intestinal permeability and tight junction function in
colitis mice. Treatments of L13 of all doses and L102 of a high dose downregulated the oxidative stress-associated factors, while L102 of a low dose and H121 ameliorated the inflammatory
cytokine production in serum and the colon. The above results suggested that
pectin could attenuate DSS-induced intestinal epithelial injury,
inflammation and oxidative stress. Specifically, compared to high esterified
pectin, low esterified
pectin displayed better protective effects in acute
colitis mice.