Topical application of glycyrrhizin preparation ameliorates experimentally induced colitis in rats.

Abstract

AIM:

To examine the efficacy of glycyrrhizin preparation (GL-p) in the treatment of a rat model of ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS:

Experimental colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate. Rats with colitis were intrarectally administered GL-p or saline. The extent of colitis was evaluated based on body weight gain, colon wet weight, and macroscopic damage score. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the inflamed mucosa were measured by cytokine antibody array analysis. The effect of GL-p on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the inflamed mucosa and purified enzyme was assayed.

RESULTS:

GL-p treatment significantly ameliorated the extent of colitis compared to sham treatment with saline. Cytokine antibody array analysis showed that GL-p treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the inflamed mucosa. Furthermore, GL-p inhibited the oxidative activity of mucosal and purified MPO.

CONCLUSION:

GL-p enema has a therapeutic effect on experimental colitis in rats and may be useful in the treatment of UC.

• Authors: Tomohiro Kudo, Shinichi Okamura, Yajing Zhang, Takashige Masuo, Masatomo Mori
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 17 Issue 17 Pg. 2223-8 (May 07 2011) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21633533 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Glycyrrhizic Acid
• Dextran Sulfate
• Peroxidase
• Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium (administration & dosage)
• Colitis (chemically induced, drug therapy, immunology)
• Cytokines (analysis)
• Dextran Sulfate
• Enema
• Glycyrrhizic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar