Therapeutic effects of dendrobium officinale extract on ulcerative colitis model of BALB/c mice / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim: To explore the therapeutic effects of Dendrobium officinale extract on mice with ulcerative colitis(UC) and its mechanism. Methods: The mice were treated with 4% DSS to induce the UC model. The signs or symptom changes of mice were observed and recorded. Then the scores of disease activity index (DAI) during the days of modeling and drug treatment were also evaluated, and the colon tissues were taken as samples. The samples were used for general and microscopic evaluation, the expression of MPO was detected by Western blot, and the expressions of IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNA were measured by qPCR. Meanwhile, the concentrations of serum IFN-γ, TNF-α in mice were also determined by ELISA. Results: As compared with model group, the colon length of mice treated with Dendrobium officinale extract was longer. The DAI score, histological damage score were reduced (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01); the concentrations of IFN-7 and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines in serum decreased (P < 0. 05); the expressions of IFN-γ mRNA and MPO protein in the colon tissue significantly decreased compared with model group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: Dendrobium officinale extract could treat DSS-induced UC of BALB/c mice. The anti-UC mechanism of Dendrobium officinale extract can be attributed to its ability to reduce the release of IFN-γ and TNF-α and downregulate the expressions of IFN-γ, TNF-α and MPO, to block the amplification effect of inflammation and to achieve its therapeutic effects.