Protective Effect of Perilla Oil Against Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice Challenged with a High-Fat Diet

This study investigated the effect of perilla oil (PO) on an ulcerative colitis mouse model. Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into HD (high-fat diet control), HDD (high-fat diet along with dextran sodium sulfate [DSS] administration), HDD + FO, HDD + PO, and HDD + OO where HDD + FO, HDD + PO, and HDD + OO groups were treated with fish oil (FO), PO, and olive oil (OO), respectively. Biochemical analysis of serum, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting of colon tissue were conducted to measure inflammatory marker levels. Administration of DSS resulted in colon shortening and a higher disease activity score than HD group. These symptoms were significantly reversed in the oil-treated groups. The body weight loss after DSS administration was significantly lower in the HDD + PO and HDD + OO groups than in the HDD and HDD + FO groups. PO significantly attenuated the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1 beta in the serum and colon. The mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory markers in the colon were reduced, whereas those of tight junction proteins and epithelial defense barrier-associated markers were increased by PO treatment. The protein expression of p-p65 was significantly lower in the PO-treated group than the HDD group. In summary, this study revealed that PO improved colitis in the DSS-induced mouse model, indicating its potential role in managing conditions such as ulcerative colitis.