[Kirenol relieves dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and inducing CD4 T lymphocyte apoptosis].

Objective: To investigate whether kirenol, the major pharmacologically active compound of the Chinese medicinal herb , can protect mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: C57BL/6 mice with or without kirenol pretreatment were treated with DSS in drinking water for 7 days to induce UC. The symptoms of UC including weight loss, diarrhea and bloody stool were observed daily and graded using the disease activity index (DAI).