The beneficial effects of chloroform extract on a dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis mice model.

Background: As an intestinal non-specific inflammatory lesion, ulcerative colitis (UC) affects the health of many individuals. This study examined the possible beneficial effects of the chloroform extract of (Swartz.: Fr) Karst (FPKc) on UC.

Methods: The mice were given free access to drink with 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 1 week to establish acute UC model. Next, 35 mg of FPKc or sulfasalazine (SASP) was given to the mice via gavage for 3 weeks. The disease activity index (DAI) and colonic mucosa damage index (CMDI) scores were calculated. The colon tissues of the mice were collected to measure the length and perform hematoxylin and eosin staining. The thymus and spleen indexes were determined. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the serum were determined.

Results: FPKc or SASP treatment alleviated hematochezia and weight loss, ameliorated DAI and CMDI scores, and improved the crypt structure and length of the colon tissues. Relative to the UC model group, the spleen index in the FPKc group was reduced, which was accompanied by decreases of the IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the serum. FPKc also lowered the AST and ALT levels in the serum of the UC mice.

Conclusions: FPKc protected the mice from DSS-induced UC injury. It may be that FPKc activates immune regulation and downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.