Anti-inflammatory effect of Helichrysum oligocephalum DC extract on acetic acid - Induced acute colitis in rats

Anti-inflammatory effect of polyherbal composition with hepatoprotective and choleretic properties on LPS-stimulated murine macrophages

OBJECTIVES

A polyherbal formulation with hepatoprotective and choleretic properties combining pharmacological potential of eight medicinal plants was developed in Nargiz Medical center (Republic of Azerbaijan) for the use as herbal tea. To explore the effect of polyherbal composition on the metabolism of LPS-stimulated macrophages in vitro.

METHODS

The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was conducted using specific color reactions and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nitric oxide (NO) assay was determined using the Griess reaction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured using ROS-sensitive fluorescence indicator, H2DCFDA, by flow cytometry. Arginase activity was examined by colorimetric method.

RESULTS

The studied polyherbal formulation exerted anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages which was evidenced by dose-dependent decrease of ROS generation and by shift of arginine metabolism to the increase of arginase activity and decrease of NO release.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the herbal tea reduces macrophage inflammatory activity, that provide an important rationale to utilize it for the attenuation of chronic inflammation typical of hepatobiliary disorders.

Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Scrophularia striata Boiss. on Murine Model of Experimental Colitis

Background

Scrophularia striata Boiss. (S. striata) is a flowering plant with several therapeutic properties including antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activity. Regarding the side effects of drugs conventionally used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment, we investigated the anticolitis properties of aqueous (SSAE) and hydroalcoholic (SSHE) extracts of S. striata on experimental colitis.

Materials and Methods

The colitis was induced using acetic acid (3%) and 2 h before ulcer induction, each group of rats received orally three doses (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) of SSAE or SSHE for the next 5 days. Dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and mesalazine (100 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as reference drugs. Different parameters including weight of colon/height, ulcer index, total colitis index, levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated.

Results

Total phenolic contents were 4.3 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.4 mg/g equivalent to gallic acid for SSAE and SSHE respectively. Three applied doses of SSHE and the highest dose of SSAE (600 mg/kg) could reduce all the macroscopic and pathologic indices of colitis and the levels of MPO and MDA. Two lesser doses of SSAE (150, 300 mg/kg) however, couldn't diminish the histopathologic features of colitis and the values of MPO and MDA.

Conclusions

S. striata, especially SSHE, which also contained more phenolic compounds, had an ameliorating effect on ulcerative colitis and possibly exerts this effect through its antioxidant, antiinflammatory and wound healing properties. Further investigations are required to introduce this plant as a novel alternative herbal drug for colitis treatment.

Effects of the Sijunzi decoction on the immunological function in rats with dextran sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis

The present study investigated the effects of the Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) at various dosages on the immunological function of rats with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS; molecular weight 5,000)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). A total of 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal, model, low-dose SJZD, moderate-dose SJZD and high-dose SJZD groups. The 3% DSS was intragastrically administered for 7 consecutive days in order to induce the UC model. The normal group consumed distilled water. Subsequently, SJZD (5.0, 10.0 and 30.0 g/kg) was intragastrically administered, and scores of the disease activity index (DAI) were calculated. After 2 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed. Scores of the colon mucosa damage index (CMDI) were evaluated; and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were measured in intestinal tissue by ELISA assays. The model group rats had ulcers, hyperemia and interstitial edema and infiltrated inflammatory cells. SJZD attenuated the severity of the gross lesions and reduced the histopathological injuries. Compared with the normal group, DAI and CMDI were significantly increased (P<0.01), and levels of determined sIgA in the intestinal mucosa and IL-2 in the intestinal tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, moderate and high doses of SJZD showed a restoration effect on all the aforementioned indexes, and the high dose was the most effective. In conclusion, SJZD can ameliorate inflammation in DSS-induced UC rats. The mechanism is most likely due to enhancing intestinal local immunity.

Intraperitoneal administration of butyrate prevents the severity of acetic acid colitis in rats

Intrarectal infusion of butyrate improves colorectal disorders including ulcerative colitis (UC). However, it is not established whether systemically administered butyrate benefits such patients. The current study aimed at exploring and comparing the potential of intraperitoneally, intrarectally, and orally administered butyrate against acetic acid (AA)-induced UC in rats. Intrarectal administration of 2 ml of 50% AA was done after or without prior treatment of rats for 7 consecutive days with 100 mg/kg sodium butyrate (SB) intraperitoneally, intrarectally, or orally. Rats were sacrificed after 48 h of AA-treatment. Subsequently, colon sections were processed routinely for histopathological examination. We clinically observed diarrhea, loose stools, and hemoccult-positive stools, and histologically, epithelial loss and ulceration, crypt damage, goblet cell depletion, hemorrhage, and mucosal infiltration of inflammatory cells. The changes were significantly reduced by intraperitoneal, intrarectal, or oral butyrate, with intraperitoneal butyrate exhibiting the highest potency. It is concluded that intraperitoneal administration of butyrate abrogates the lesions of AA-induced UC and its potency surpasses that of intrarectal or oral butyrate.

Effect of Sijunzi decoction on expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in dextran sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats

AIM: To observe the effects of Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) on expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats.

METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: a normal group, a model group, low-, medium- and high-dose SJZD groups. The rats were given 3% DSS by intragastric administration for 7 consecutive days to induce UC. The normal group was given the distilled water, and SJZD (5.0, 10.0, and 30.0 g/kg) were given by intragastric administration in the three treatment groups. Scores of disease active index (DAI) were calculated. After 2 wk, all rats were sacrificed. Scores of colon macroscopic damage index (CMDI) were calculated; levels of serum IL-1β and IL-4 were measured by ELISA; colonic superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and histological changes were recorded. Expression of GABA_A and GABA_B receptors in colonic tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Rats of the model group showed ulcers, hyperemia, interstitial edema and infiltrated inflammatory cells. SJZD attenuated the severity of gross lesions and reduced the histopathological injuries. Compared with the normal group, DAI, CMDI, levels of serum IL-1β, MDA activity and expression of GABA_A receptor had a significant increase in the model group (P < 0.01), as well as in the three SJZD groups. Levels of serum IL-4 and colonic SOD activity were significantly decreased in the model group and the three SJZD groups (P < 0.01). Expression of GABA_B receptor showed no significant changes compared with the normal group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, medium- and high-dose SJZD groups had improvement of the above indexes, with the effects being more prominent in the high-dosage group. DAI, CMDI, levels of serum IL-1β, IL-4, expression of GABA_A receptor and GABA_B receptor in the low-dose SJZD group showed no significant changes compared with the model group (P > 0.05). Expression of GABA_B receptor showed no significant changes compared with the normal group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: SJZD can ameliorate inflammation in DSS-induced UC rats via mechanisms that are most likely due to anti-oxidation and inhibition of inflammatory cytokines. GABA may play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC thorough its GABA_A receptor. The expression of GABA_A receptor can be significantly changed by SJZD treatment.