Assessment of Ameliorative Effect of Myrica esculenta in a DSS-Induced Murine Model against Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Background. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) delineated by inflammation or ulcers in the colon that may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, tenesmus, etc. Objective. To determine therapeutic effectiveness and explore the mechanism of MeEt extract against DSS (3%)-induced UC in Swiss albino mice. Methods. Six mice were allocated into five groups at random: group1: vehicle control; group 2: DSS control; group 3: DSS+mesalazine (MSZ, 100 mg/kg BW); group 4: DSS+MeEt (200 mg/kg BW); and group 5: DSS+MeEt (400 mg/kg BW). Except for group 1, DSS (3%) in drinking water was given to all other groups to induce UC. %BW, average food intake, and mean stool consistency were determined for obtaining DAI scores. Mice were euthanized on the 8th day, and colonic tissues were taken to measure the colon length. Serum and tissue levels of the cytokines were also determined using ELISA kits, followed by histopathological analysis of colon tissue. In addition, hematological and serum biochemical parameters were also determined to assess the treatment effectiveness. Result. During the induction, DAI scores, colon length, and cytokines levels were significantly increased. MSZ at 100 mg/kg BW and MeEt at 400 mg/kg BW doses via oral route significantly reversed the DAI scores and colon length. Further, MeEt 400 also downregulated the expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1 and upregulated the production of IL-1β and IL-10. Also, improvements in hematological and serum biochemical parameters were reported. Histopathological analysis revealed a decrease in inflammation and damage to colon tissue with the administration of MeEt extract. Conclusion. MeEt at a 400 mg/kg BW dose may be used as an alternate treatment for the management of UC, which is comparable with that of MSZ.