Study on Determination of Chemical Constituents in Sophora Japonica Water Extract by HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS and Its Therapeutic Effect on Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVE To analyze the chemical compositions of Sophora japonica water extract, and to explore its therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis mice and related mechanisms. METHODS HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to qualitatively identify the chemical compositions, the data was analyzed and compared with database(mzCloud, mzVault, ChemSpider). Forty-two male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal group, model group, low, medium and high-dose groups of water extract of Sophora japonica, and positive control group, 7 in each group. The normal group was given drinking water, the other groups were administrated with 4% dextran sulphate sodium aqueous solution. All groups were given orally by gavage for 11 d at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1. The changes of disease activity index(DAI) and microscopic pathological examination of colon tissue were observed. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma were determined by ELISA. The expression of NF-κB p65 was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Three hundred twenty three compounds were matched in the database mzCloud, of which 22 were more than 90% matched. Compared with the model group, the colon length was longer and DAI index was lower in Sophora japonica water extract groups. The expression of NF-κB p65 in colon tissue was decreased, and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION The Sophora japonica water extract can alleviate ulcerative colitis injury induced by dextran sulphate sodium in mice by inhibiting intestinal inflammatory reaction.