Nascimento, Roberto de Paula doMachado, Ana Paula da FonsecaGalvez, JulioCazarin, Cinthia Baú BetimMaróstica Junior, Mario Roberto2023-02-092023-02-092020-07-25Nascimento RPD, Machado APDF, Galvez J, Cazarin CBB, Maróstica Junior MR. Ulcerative colitis: Gut microbiota, immunopathogenesis and application of natural products in animal models. Life Sci. 2020 Oct 1;258:118129.http://hdl.handle.net/10668/16005Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with increasing incidence in the world, especially in developing countries. Although knowledge of its pathogenesis has progressed over the last years, some details require clarification. Studies have highlighted the role of microbial dysbiosis and immune dysfunction as essential factors that may initiate the typical high-grade inflammatory outcome. In order to better understand the immunopathophysiological aspects of UC, experimental murine models are valuable tools. Some of the most commonly used chemicals to induce colitis are trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, oxazolone and dextran sodium sulfate. These may also be used to investigate new ways of preventing or treating UC and therefore improving targeting in human studies. The use of functional foods or bioactive compounds from plants may constitute an innovative direction towards the future of alternative medicine. Considering the above, this review focused on updated information regarding the 1. gut microbiota and immunopathogenesis of UC; 2. the most utilized animal models of the disease and their relevance; and 3. experimental application of natural products, not yet tested in clinical trials.enBioactive compoundsDextran sodium sulfateFunctional foodsInflammationInflammatory bowel diseasesMicrobiotaNatural productsOxazoloneTrinitrobenzene sulfonic acidAnimalsBiological ProductsColitis, UlcerativeDisease Models, AnimalGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansModels, Biologicalresearch article32717271open accessColitis UlcerosaDisbiosisModelos Animales de EnfermedadMicrobiota IntestinalCompuestos BioactivosCompuestos Bioactivos10.1016/j.lfs.2020.1181291879-0631https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118129