Efficacy and Immune Mechanism of Baitouweng Tang on Ulcerative Colitis in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and immune mechanism of Baitouweng Tang on ulcerative colitis(UC) rats. Method: The mode of UC rats was made of 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)/ethanol enema. Rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, mesalazine group, and high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose Baitouweng Tang groups. The mesalazine group were administered with mesalazine (0.5 g·kg-1). Baitouweng Tang groups were given Baitouweng Tang (10, 5, 2.5 g·kg-1), while the other groups were given double steaming water. After 7 days of continuous administration, the general condition and disease activity index of rats in each group were observed. After anesthesia in rats, blood was taken from the abdominal aorta. Then the rats were put to death, and the length and morphological observation of the colon were measured. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry detection was used to detect the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in blood and colon tissue. The levels of P-selectin, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in blood and colon tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods were undertaken to determine the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) proteins in colon tissue. Result: Compared with the model group, the rats in model group showed severe symptoms, such as loose stools, diarrhea and bloody stools, while Baitouweng Tang obviously ameliorated them. Moreover, Baitouweng Tang significantly reduced DAI, colon general and pathological scores, which were high in model group(P2 in the serum and colon tissues of the model group were obviously increased(PκB in colons of model group were markedly higher than those in control group(PPConclusion: Baitouweng Tang could inhibit TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in treatment of ulcerative colitis, and reduce the expressions of P-selectin, MPO, MIF and TXB2, and thus promoting intestinal mucosal repair and improving intestinal function.