SAMe May Offer New Hope for Chronic Colitis
Have you ever heard of “chronic colitis”? It is an intestinal disorder that causes recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea, eroding quality of life and, over time, may raise the risk of colon cancer.
Current drugs can ease symptoms but rarely cure the disease and can produce side-effects.
A new study now points to a fresh therapeutic direction: S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a compound that may create a “protective shield” for an injured gut through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Experimental Study
Published in *Cureus*, the study used Swiss albino mice to model human chronic colitis. Researchers induced the disease by letting animals drink water containing 2 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for seven days, followed by seven days of plain water;
this cycle was repeated three times (42 days total), establishing a chronic colitis model.
Thirty-two mice were then divided into four groups: normal control, disease control, positive control (given the standard drug sulfasalazine), and SAMe treatment.
Throughout the experiment the team monitored the Disease Activity Index (DAI), a composite score reflecting weight change and stool consistency.
At the end they measured colon weight-to-length ratio, histological damage, and two key biomarkers: the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH).
Protective Effects of SAMe
The results were striking. Compared with the disease-control group, SAMe-treated mice showed a significantly lower DAI, indicating less diarrhea and weight loss; colon weight-to-length ratios approached normal, implying markedly reduced edema and inflammation;
and intestinal tissue exhibited fewer ulcers and inflammatory-cell infiltrates.
Biochemically, SAMe lowered TNF-α levels while raising GSH, mitigating gut injury through both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways. Importantly, these protective effects matched those achieved with sulfasalazine.
SAMe is not a new substance; it is already sold as a dietary supplement for depression, osteoarthritis, and liver disorders. This study is the first to demonstrate its protective action in chronic colitis, and it appears safe.
Still, the findings are limited to animals; human trials are needed to confirm efficacy. Nevertheless, the work opens a new avenue for treating chronic colitis and renews hope that natural compounds can improve intestinal health.
Reference:
Gaikwad S, Jalgaonkar S, Tripathi R. Gastroprotective Effects of S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Through Its Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Chronic Colitis in Swiss Albino Mice. *Cureus*, 2025, 17(6).
*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.
by GSHWORLD
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