Scientists have discovered that tiny particles released by a type of intestinal worm might help reduce inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This condition affects millions of people worldwide, causing chronic pain and digestive issues.
The four-year study found that these particles, known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), were able to reduce inflammationin mice with colitis, a common form of IBD. The research, published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, could lead to new, natural treatments for IBD.
How the Study Was Conducted
Dr. Farouq Sharifpour from the Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine (AITHM) at James Cook University worked with Professor Peter Nejsum’s team at Aarhus University in Denmark.
The Danish researchers studied how EVs from the worm Ascaris suum affected immune cells in lab experiments. They found that these worm-secreted particles reduced inflammation by interacting with specific blood cells.
To see if the EVs worked inside living organisms, the Danish team sent samples to Australia. Dr. Sharifpour and his team then tested them in three separate experiments using 130 mice with induced colitis. The results were clear: the mice showed significant improvements, confirming the anti-inflammatory effects of EVs.
Why This Discovery Matters
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is difficult to treat, and current medications often come with unwanted side effects. Finding a natural, non-invasive treatment could be life-changing for many people.
“This was the outcome we hoped for, but in science, you never really know,” said Dr. Sharifpour. “Sometimes, things work well in lab tests but fail in animals or humans. In this case, we were able to confirm that EVs from the worm had a real impact inside the body.”
What’s Next?
Dr. Sharifpour and his team plan to continue working with the Danish researchers to better understand how these worm particles reduce inflammation. They are also exploring ways to produce EVs synthetically, which could lead to a new kind of treatment.
“The goal is to create semi-synthetic EVs that could be used to treat IBD and other chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis and type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Sharifpour explained.
Unlike traditional medications, this approach is based on natural substances, which means it could have fewer side effects.
“This isn’t a chemical treatment. It’s completely natural. If we can regulate it properly, we don’t expect to see harmful effects,” said Dr. Sharifpour. “These kinds of treatments come from nature itself.”
This research opens the door to new, natural therapies that could offer relief for people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. Scientists hope that with more research, these findings could eventually lead to new, safer treatments for IBD and beyond.
If you care about gut health, please read studies about how junk food harms your gut health, and how probiotics can protect gut health.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how fiber affects weight loss and your overall health, and results showing why a glass of red wine is good for your gut.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.
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