Lutonarin attenuates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction: a functional and transcriptomic analysis

• Lutonarin (LU) protects against LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in Caco-2 cell monolayers by preserving TEER and reducing paracellular permeability. • LU pretreatment restores the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin, which are downregulated by LPS. • LU shows no significant cytotoxicity up to 96 μM, and 12 μM is an effective concentration for barrier protection. • These findings suggest LU as a potential natural therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease and other intestinal barrier-related disorders.