ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the effects of rutae-carpine on ulcerative colitis and intestinal movement in experimental animals. METHODS: The mouse model of acute colitis was induced by coionic instillation of dinitro-chlorobenzene (DNCB)/alcohol. Rutaecarpine (10, 30, and 100 mg?kg-1 ) were orally administrated to animals for 3 days. Diarrheas, colon weight index, macroscopic damage in the colon were observed and the activity of MPO and the content of PGE2 in colon were also examined . Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of rutaecarpine on ileal contraction movement in Guinea pig which was induced by acetylcoline or histamine in vitro were examined. RESULTS: The diarrhea and the colon weight index were reduced and the macroscopic damage in the in-flammatory colon was effectively attenuated by rutae-carpine. The elevated level of MPO and PGE2 were also significantly decreased. Heal contraction movement induced by acetylcoline or histamine in vitro was strongly dose-dependent inhibited by rutaecarpine. CONCLUSION: Rutaecarpine can effectively inhibit the inflammatory infiltration, bleeding and proliferation in experimental ulcerative colitis and the movement of intestinal smooth muscle. Rutaecarpine may be an effective drug in treating inflammatory bowel diseases in clinic.