Effect of Chunpi Decoction on Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium in Mice

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease with unclear pathogenesis and difficult to cure. Its drug treatment is highly dependent and has obvious side effects. In this study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to establish a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, and Chunpi decoction (10 mL/d) were used for intervention. The body weight, disease activity index (DAI) and colon length of mice were detected, and the liver and kidney function indexes and oxidative stress levels of mice were detected by kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors, and the colon tissue sections were observed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces of mice. Among the findings: Compared with the DSS group, the body weight and colon length of the mice in the Chunpi decoction intervention group increased, DAI decreased, liver and kidney function improved, the expression of pro-inflammatory factors decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors increased significantly (P < 0.01). The level of inflammatory markers were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the content of SCFAs in feces was up-regulated, and the structure of colon epithelium was improved. Chunpi decoction can improve intestinal mucosal injury and liver and kidney dysfunction in mice, and has a good therapeutic effect on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.