Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction, a classical traditional Chinese medicine formulation, on BALB/c mice with experimentally induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction were intragastrically administered to BALB/c mice with oxazolone (OXA)-induced colitis. Sulfasalazine (SASP) was administered intragastrically to OXA-treated mice to establish the SASP group (positive control). Following drug administration, the disease activity index (DAI) and the histopathological inflammation score were recorded. In addition, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 mRNA in the colonic tissue were determined by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The DAI and histopathological inflammation score of the model group were significantly greater compared with those of the control group, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the colonic tissue were also significantly higher in the model group compared with those in the control group. The intragastric administration of water-soluble extracts of Banxiaxiexin decoction significantly lowered the DAI and histopathological inflammation score. The mRNA expression levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in the colonic tissue were also significantly lowered. The therapeutic effect of Banxiaxiexin decoction was found to be comparable to that of SASP. In conclusion, the results from the present study demonstrate that water-soluble extracts of the traditional Chinese medicine formulation Banxiaxiexin decoction have a therapeutic effect on BALB/c mice with OXA-induced colitis.
Highlights
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
UC was induced in BALB/c mice by the intrarectal administration of a low dose of OXA, following skin sensitization with OXA
Morphological changes, analyzed using histological methods, were similar to the tissue damage observed in patients with UC
Summary
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A number of drugs, including 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) drugs, for example sulfasalazine (SASP) and mesalazine, are used for the treatment of UC [1]. Corticosteroids, azathioprine and mercaptopurine are used for treatment of UC [2]. These drugs are not the optimal choice for long‐term treatment and are used only if patients do not achieve remission with 5‐ASA [3]. These drugs have significant risk factors, including an increased risk of cancer, tuberculosis and heart failure [4]. The development of a novel strategy for the treatment of UC is of importance
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