Published online Feb 28, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i8.1353
Peer-review started: October 1, 2016
First decision: October 20, 2016
Revised: November 8, 2016
Accepted: December 8, 2016
Article in press: December 8, 2016
Published online: February 28, 2017
Processing time: 149 Days and 19.9 Hours
To evaluate the anti-inflammatory intestinal effect of the ethanolic extract (EtOHE) and hexane phase (HexP) obtained from the leaves of Combretum duarteanum (Cd).
Inflammatory bowel disease was induced using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid in acute and relapsed ulcerative colitis in rat models. Damage scores, and biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters were evaluated.
Both Cd-EtOHE and Cd-HexP caused significant reductions in macroscopic lesion scores and ulcerative lesion areas. The vegetable samples inhibited myeloperoxidase increase, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased in animals treated with the tested plant samples. The anti-inflammatory intestinal effect is related to decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and an increase in superoxide dismutase.
The data indicate anti-inflammatory intestinal activity. The effects may also involve participation of the antioxidant system and principal cytokines relating to inflammatory bowel disease.
Core tip: Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders that include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Genetic, immunologic and environmental factors are postulated as possible etiologic agents. Their conventional treatment is centered in reducing inflammation and abnormal symptom relief. A variety of herbal medicines have been demonstrated to produce promising results in the treatment of those diseases. Combretum duarteanum is a species popularly used in folk medicine to treat inflammation. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the intestinal anti-inflammatory effect in an UC rat model, contributing to the safe use and collaborating with the scientific knowledge of natural products.