Abstract: This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of goji berries fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum NXU0011 on serum metabolites in mice with ulcerative colitis (UC). A mouse model of UC was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water. Four groups of mice were set up: DSS-induced model, control (Con), medication with mesalazine (MS), and intervention with lyophilized powder of L. plantarum NXU0011-fermented L. barbarum L. (LP + Ly). Non-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze differential serum metabolites among the four groups. In the positive ion mode, a total of 381 differential metabolites were identified, including 56 differential metabolites between the MS and DSS groups and 87 differential metabolites between the LP + Ly and DSS groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the significantly differential metabolites between the Con, LP + Ly and DSS groups revealed two metabolic pathways with the higher enrichment rates, arginine biosynthesis and vitamin digestion and absorption. This study provides a reference for the application of Lactobacillus-fermented goji berries to ameliorate UC.

Key words: Lactobacillus plantarum; Lycium barbarum L.; ulcerative colitis; non-targeted metabolomics; differential metabolites