Document Type : Research/Original Article
Authors
1
Colorectal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
2
Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
3
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
4
Stem Cells and Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
5
School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
6
Center of Experimental and Comparative Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
7
Central Research Laboratory, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran
Abstract
Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is characterized by acute and chronic inflammation.
The etiology and pathophysiology of IBD is unidentified, and there are many obstacles on the definite treatment of
this disease. Recently, the useful effects of some herbal medicine on improving UC have been studied. Melillotus officinalis L. (M.
officinalis) is an herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects used as food, forage and medicine.
Objectives: This study evaluated the antioxidant effects of M. officinalis aqueous extracts in the acetic acid- induced ulcerative colitis
in rats.
Methods: Fifty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. Group I (Control healthy group) received 1 mL/kg of normal
saline orally. Group II (control colitis group) received 1 mL/kg of normal saline orally. Group III (positive control) received 3 mg/kg
prednisolone orally. Group IV received 1000 mg/kg M. officinalis aqueous extracts orally. Group V received 2000 mg/kg M. officinalis
aqueous extracts orally. Ulcerative colitis was induced by intra-rectal acetic acid (3% v/v) administration. All treatments were done
24 hours after induction of colitis and continued for seven days. On the eighth day, the rats were sacrificed and colonic biopsies
were taken for histopathological and biochemical studies. Data analysis was performed, using SPSS software and significance level
was set at P0.05.
Results: Treatment with M. officinalis aqueous extract could enhance colonic antioxidant capacity and decrease inflammation and
acute colonic injury induced by acetic acid, which is dose-dependent. In addition, administrating the extract significantly (P0.05)
reduced the colonic level of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, and significantly (P 0.05) increased the level of reduced
glutathione (P0.05). The extract had more effects at the dose of 2000 mg/kg than 1000 mg/kg dosage and prednisolone.
Conclusions: This study revealed that M. officinalis had apparent curative effects on treating UC because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory
activities.
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