Fig. 11

A schematic model showing the mechanism by which oral, but not rectal, delivery of EGCG alleviated DSS-induced colitis. Intestinal microbiota, oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier integrity are all affected. Oral EGCG induced an alteration in the gut microbiota to enrich probiotic bacteria such as Akkermansia, which subsequently led to an increased production of SCFAs such as butyrate, triggering a cascade of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-protective response. Ultimately, intestinal epithelial homeostasis is attenuated and colitis was attenuated