Abstract
Background. Free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Picroliv, a Picrorhiza kurroa derivative, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of picroliv on experimental model of UC in mice. Materials and Methods. Picroliv was administrated orally by gavage to mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histology score were observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and SOD, MDA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while the expression of cytokine mRNAs was studied by real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and also ELISA. The expression of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting. Results. A significant improvement was observed in DAI and histological score in mice treated with picroliv, and incerased MPO activity, MDA concentrations, and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 in mice with DSS-induced colitis were significantly reduced while decreased SOD level increased following administration of picroliv. Conclusion. The administration of picroliv leads to an amelioration of DSS-induced colitis, suggesting administration of picroliv may provide a therapeutic approach for UC.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause that exhibits an unpredictable clinical course with remissions and exacerbation and is characterized by rectal bleeding and diarrhea [1]
Treatment with picroliv significantly reduced the clinical disease activity index (DAI) of colitis with the dose of 12.5 mg/kg per day for 7 days compared with DSStreated mice (Table 2)
In dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, the severe colitis caused by DSS was associated with a significant (P < 0.05) shortening of the colon length compared with healthy controls
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause that exhibits an unpredictable clinical course with remissions and exacerbation and is characterized by rectal bleeding and diarrhea [1]. Conventional treatments for UC include aminosalicylates and corticosteroids as mainstays of therapy Immunosuppressive agents, such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate, are used for corticosteroid-resistant or -dependent patients. Picroliv was administrated orally by gavage to mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histology score were observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and SOD, MDA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while the expression of cytokine mRNAs was studied by real-timequantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. A significant improvement was observed in DAI and histological score in mice treated with picroliv, and incerased MPO activity, MDA concentrations, and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 in mice with DSSinduced colitis were significantly reduced while decreased SOD level increased following administration of picroliv. The administration of picroliv leads to an amelioration of DSS-induced colitis, suggesting administration of picroliv may provide a therapeutic approach for UC
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