Oxymatrine protects against DSS-induced colitis via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a kind of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic recurrent disease that results in inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum, and accompanied by a certain rate of colon cancer [1]. The typical symptoms of active disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea mixed with mucus and blood. The etiology of UC is still uncertain and may involve genetics, immune system dysfunction, changes of the intestinal microbiota and environmental factors [2], [3]. Current therapies including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and infliximab have more or less some side effects, and they cannot maintain long-term ease of UC patients. Thus, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic drugs to conquer these defects. At present, the extracted components from Chinese medicinal herbs are the research focus and directions.