Researchers tested a natural plant compound called dihydromyricetin (DMY) on mice with a condition similar to ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes intestinal damage. The compound appeared to reduce inflammation by changing the balance of bacteria in the gut and calming down the immune system’s overreaction. The treated mice showed improvements in symptoms, better intestinal healing, and restored balance to their gut health. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test it in humans before recommending it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural plant compound called dihydromyricetin could reduce inflammation and heal intestinal damage in mice with a condition similar to ulcerative colitis
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were given a chemical to create intestinal inflammation similar to human ulcerative colitis, then treated with the natural compound
  • Key finding: Mice treated with dihydromyricetin showed significant improvements in disease symptoms, better intestinal lining repair, and changes in their gut bacteria that reduced harmful inflammation
  • What it means for you: This research suggests dihydromyricetin might someday help people with ulcerative colitis, but it’s still in early stages. More research in humans is needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment. If you have ulcerative colitis, talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements.

The Research Details

Scientists created a mouse model of ulcerative colitis by giving mice a chemical called dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) that damages the intestinal lining, similar to what happens in human ulcerative colitis. They then gave some mice the natural compound dihydromyricetin through oral administration while other mice received no treatment. The researchers measured multiple outcomes including disease severity scores, intestinal tissue damage, immune cell counts, and the composition of bacteria living in the gut. They used advanced genetic testing to identify which bacteria were present and molecular analysis to understand how the compound worked at a cellular level.

This research approach is important because it combines multiple measurement methods to understand both what happened (symptoms improved) and how it happened (the mechanism). By using special mice without the NLRP3 inflammasome gene and mice without their normal gut bacteria, the researchers could prove that the compound specifically works through changing gut bacteria and calming an overactive immune response. This multi-layered approach provides stronger evidence than just showing symptom improvement alone.

The study used established animal models of human disease and multiple scientific techniques to verify results. The use of genetic knockout mice (mice without specific genes) to confirm the mechanism is a strong research approach. However, this is animal research, so results may not directly translate to humans. The study appears to be well-designed but lacks information about sample sizes and statistical analysis details that would help assess reliability.

What the Results Show

Mice treated with dihydromyricetin showed significant improvements in disease activity scores, meaning their symptoms of colitis were reduced. The compound helped repair the intestinal lining, which is the protective barrier that becomes damaged in ulcerative colitis. Blood tests showed that treated mice had lower numbers of white blood cells and immune cells that were causing inflammation, suggesting the compound calmed down the overactive immune response. The spleen (an immune organ) was also smaller in treated mice, indicating less overall inflammation in the body.

The research revealed that dihydromyricetin changed the composition of bacteria living in the mice’s intestines, restoring a healthier balance. This shift in gut bacteria appears to be a key part of how the compound works. The compound also helped restore normal intestinal immune function, meaning the immune system stopped attacking the intestinal lining and returned to a more balanced state. These changes together helped restore the normal functioning of the intestines.

This study builds on previous research showing that dihydromyricetin has anti-inflammatory properties. The novel contribution here is demonstrating the specific pathway through which it works—by changing gut bacteria composition and suppressing a specific immune mechanism called the NLRP3 inflammasome. This adds to growing evidence that gut bacteria play a crucial role in intestinal diseases and that targeting the bacteria-immune system connection may be an effective treatment strategy.

This research was conducted only in mice, so results may not directly apply to humans. The study doesn’t specify the exact number of mice used or provide detailed statistical analysis. The mice were given the compound after inflammation was already established, so it’s unclear if it would work as a preventive treatment. The study doesn’t compare dihydromyricetin to existing ulcerative colitis treatments, so we don’t know if it’s more or less effective. Long-term effects and optimal dosing for humans remain unknown.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, dihydromyricetin shows promise as a potential future treatment for ulcerative colitis (moderate confidence level). However, human clinical trials are needed before it can be recommended as a treatment. If you have ulcerative colitis, continue following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. Do not replace current medications with dihydromyricetin supplements without medical guidance.

People with ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease should be aware of this research as a potential future option. Researchers studying gut health and inflammation should take note of the gut bacteria-immune system connection demonstrated here. People interested in natural anti-inflammatory compounds may find this interesting, but should not self-treat without medical supervision. People without intestinal disease do not need to take action based on this research.

In the mouse studies, improvements were observed over the treatment period, but the exact timeline isn’t specified. If this compound eventually moves to human trials, it would likely take 5-10 years of research before it could potentially become available as a medical treatment. Benefits would not be immediate and would require consistent use over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users with ulcerative colitis could track daily symptom severity (abdominal pain, bowel movement frequency, blood in stool) on a 1-10 scale, along with medication adherence and any supplements taken, to monitor disease progression and treatment response over time
  • If dihydromyricetin becomes available as a supplement, users could set reminders to take it consistently at the same time daily, while simultaneously tracking how their ulcerative colitis symptoms change week-to-week to assess personal response
  • Establish a baseline symptom score before any new intervention, then track weekly for at least 8-12 weeks to see if there’s a meaningful change. Share this data with your healthcare provider to determine if the supplement is helping or if adjustments to treatment are needed

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Dihydromyricetin is not currently approved as a medical treatment for ulcerative colitis. If you have ulcerative colitis or any inflammatory bowel condition, consult your doctor before starting any new supplement or changing your treatment plan. Do not stop taking prescribed medications based on this research. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always work with your healthcare provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.