ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the effect of total flavonoids of Pongamia pinnata roots(PRF) on ulcerative colitis(UC) induced by dextran sulphate sodium(DSS) in mice and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed with 4% DSS solution for 7 d to induce ulcerative colitis and treated with sulfasalazine(SASP) as positive control.The clinical symptom and the lesion of colonic mucosa were observed and the levels of T-AOC、MDA、NO and the activity of NOS in colonic tissue were tested. RESULTS: Compared with the model control,the clinical symptom and the lesion of colonic mucosa in treatment group were remarkably improved after administration of PRF in large or medium dose.In the two groups,the decrease in the levels of MDA,NO and the activity of NOS,and the increase in the levels of F-AOC could be found.(P0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that significant effect of PRF on DSS-induced UC may attributae to reduction in free radical,depression of lipid peroxidation and enhancement of antioxidant capability.