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Research Article: Protective effects of Graptophyllum pictum extract and its impact on the regulation of inflammatory mediators and short-chain fatty acids in experimental models: a multi-parameter comparative study

Date Published: 2026-06-19

Abstract:
Persistent colonic inflammation disrupts epithelial integrity, alters microbial metabolites, and impairs gut function. Graptophyllum pictum (daun wungu) contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective potential, but its impact on functional recovery and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colitis remains unclear. Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into five groups ( n = 6/group): healthy control (K0), DSS colitis control (K–), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, 120 mg/kg/day; K+), G. pictum extract (100 mg/kg twice daily; P1), and combination therapy (P2). Colitis was induced with 2% DSS for 7 days; treatments were given orally for 10 days. Primary outcomes were body weight and stool form (Bristol Stool Scale). Secondary outcomes included serum inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-?, CRP, PDGF, COX-2, VEGF), fecal SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate by GC-MS), leukocyte count, colonic macroscopic score, and histologic/tissue repair markers (fibroblasts, collagen density, M2 macrophages, CD34). Appropriate parametric/non-parametric tests with post-hoc analyses were used (? = 0.05). Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro/Dr. Kariadi Hospital. All intervention groups gained more weight than K– ( p < 0.05), with the largest increase in P2 (? 16.67 ± 0.52 g). Stool consistency improved significantly in K+ and P2 (? ?4.17 ± 0.75; post-treatment median Bristol 1–2; p < 0.001). Pro-inflammatory mediators differed across groups (all p < 0.001): compared with K–, P1/P2 markedly reduced IL-6, TNF-?, CRP, PDGF, COX-2, and VEGF. SCFAs were restored toward baseline in treated groups, with P2 showing the highest acetate/propionate/butyrate recovery vs. K– (all p ? 0.01). Macroscopic injury scores and leukocyte counts were significantly lower in K+, P1, and P2 vs. K– ( p ? 0.003). Fibroblast count, collagen density, M2 macrophages, and CD34 trended upward in treatment arms but were not statistically different among groups ( p ? 0.075). In DSS-induced colitis, G. pictum —especially combined with 5-ASA—improves clinical (weight, stool form) and biological outcomes by suppressing inflammatory pathways and restoring SCFA profiles, with concordant reductions in macroscopic damage and leukocytosis. These data support G. pictum as a promising adjunct to standard therapy for promoting gut homeostasis and functional recovery.

Introduction:
Persistent colonic inflammation disrupts epithelial integrity, alters microbial metabolites, and impairs gut function. Graptophyllum pictum (daun wungu) contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective potential, but its impact on functional recovery and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colitis remains unclear.

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