Effect of Traditional Herbal Formulation on Experimental Models of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Aims: Evaluation of the effectiveness of herbal formulation consisting of Morinda citrifolia L, Artemisia annua L, Glycyrrhiza glabra L and Ocimum basilicum L, in treating ulcerative colitis. Objectives: Assessment of the effect of herbal formulation on the indomethacin-induced ulcerative colitis based on serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, tissue myloperoxidase (MPO) activity and colonic glutathione (GSH) content and macroscopic features. Determination of tissue ulcer scores, tissue weight and tissue histopathological changes before and after treatment with herbal formulation in disease-induced model. Methods: Herbal formulation from ancient literature was selected and evaluated for its effectiveness against indomethacin-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Mesalamine was used as a standard drug to compare the effect of herbal formulation on ulcerative colitis. Quantification of serum LDH levels, tissue MPO activity, colonic GSH levels, and the histopathological features of inflammatory and recovered cells were used to establish the efficacy of the formulation. Results: Formulation treatment showed an appreciable increase in the serum GSH levels, and a decrease in the tissue MPO activity and serum LDH levels. The results of ulcer score analysis and tissue weight analysis of the formulation treated group were similar to the mesalamine treated group. Histopathological studies revealed a decrease in oedema and reduced inflammation followed by the formulation treatment. Conclusion: The study established the efficacy of polyherbal formulation in the treatment of ulcerative colitis following sub-chronic administration. This study concludes that the polyherbal formulation is effective as mesalamine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.