Chrysin Mitigates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Jejunal Inflammation and Barrier Dysfunction in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of chrysin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced jejunal injury in mice, focusing on tissue morphology, epithelial apoptosis, inflammation, and the gut microbiota. METHODS: Male C57BL/6JNarl mice (n = 24) were randomly divided into three groups. The control (CON) and LPS groups were fed a standard chow diet, whereas the LPS+CHY group received chow supplemented with 1% (w/w) chrysin. After 3 wk of dietary intervention, mice in the LPS and LPS+CHY groups were given an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg body weight), while the control mice received an equivalent volume of saline. Animals were sacrificed on day 23, and jejunal tissues, cecal contents, and feces were collected. RESULTS: LPS administration induced marked disruption of jejunal morphology, characterized by reduced villus height, villus area, and goblet cell numbers. Chrysin supplementation significantly attenuated these LPS-induced morphological alterations. Furthermore, the LPS+CHY group exhibited reduced apoptosis and levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in jejunal tissues. Chrysin treatment also increased cecal concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and valerate, which were accompanied by beneficial alterations in gut microbiota composition. CONCLUSION: This study supports the potential of chrysin as a functional dietary compound for maintaining intestinal health under inflammatory stress. Furthermore, it provides evidence suggesting the involvement of microbiota-host metabolic interactions in flavonoid-mediated intestinal protection.