Effects of <italic>Mannyeon-hwan</italic> on Acetic Acid-induced Colitis in Rats

Abstract

Objectives: This study is designed to verify the effects of <i>Mannyeon-hwan</i> (MNH) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.Methods: Colitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 g by injecting acetic acid through the anus. The rats were classified into four groups: normal group, acetic acid (AA) group, AA+MNH (L) (low concentration) group, and AA+MNH (H) (high concentration) group. The body weight, visual evaluation of the colonic mucosa, anatomical histological changes, and changes in the expression of cytokines in the colon tissue were compared and analyzed.Results: Compared with the normal group, weight loss was observed in mice induced with colitis. Compared with the AA group, weight loss recovery occurred in the AA+MNH (L) and AA+MNH (H) groups, and significant changes were observed after the sixth day. In the visual evaluation of the colonic mucosa, a significant decrease in damage indicators was observed in the AA+MNH (L) and AA+MNH (H) groups compared with the AA group. In terms of anatomical histological changes and changes in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in colon tissue, a significant decrease was observed in the AA+MNH (L) and AA+MNH (H) groups compared with the AA group. A more pronounced decrease was observed in the AA+MNH (H) group compared with the AA+MNH (L) group.Conclusion: The effects of MNH on colitis were confirmed through research. MNH can be used as a first-line treatment for patients complaining of colitis who visit oriental medicine clinics.