Protective effect of Florfenicol against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting cellular senescence and reducing inflammation via the AMPK signaling pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unclear etiology. Senescence-related signs have been detected in the intestinal tissue of UC patients. Senescence is known to amplify the body's inflammatory response, potentially accelerating UC progression. However, the precise relationship between UC and senescence remains elusive. Florfenicol (FLO) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic characterized by potent antibacterial activity and low toxicity. To date, no studies have reported on the potential of FLO in mitigating intestinal damage and senescence. In this study, we discovered that DSS can induce cellular and colon tissue senescence. Interestingly, we found that FLO can effectively counteract DSS-induced cellular senescence and alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and colon senescence in C57BL/6j mice. Moreover, we provide strong evidence that FLO effectively inhibits colon senescence and treats DSS-induced colitis by activating the AMPK signaling pathway. Consequently, FLO's anti-senescence properties may represent a novel therapeutic approach for UC management.