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Abstract

Colitis was induced in animals of groups G2 to G6 by adding Dextran sulfate sodium to drinking water from day 1 to day 7 ad libitum. Animals of group G1 received distilled water alone. T. terrestris, extract dissolved in distilled water was administered to three groups at the dose levels of 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg body weight respectively. A daily clinical assessment was performed in all the animals, including body weight, evaluation of stool consistency and presence of blood in stools. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was carried out to measure neutrophil accumulation. Isolated distal portions of colon were placed in an embedding frame, preserved in 10% formalin, sliced, mounted and stained with hemotoxylin & eosin and then histologically scored. Oral administration of T. terrestris (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) extract revealed a markedly reduced disease severity, attributed to reductions in occult blood, gross bleeding, and diarrhea. The colon length and colon weight of the animals treated with T. terrestris extract was found to be comparable to vehicle control. MPO activity in T. terrestris extract treated groups was found to be decreased as compared to the disease control group. Administration of T. terrestris extract significantly reduced the histological injury induced by DSS. The inflammation score and crypt damage score was found to be significantly improved in T terrestris treated DSS mice. The results showed that T. terrestris extract has a potential to suppress colitis in mice as indicated by the macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical evaluations. The findings of this study elucidate the anti-IBD and anti-inflammatory properties of T. terrestris.