Intrarectal Dehydroleucodine Suppresses Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid–Induced Colitis in Rats, A Model for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Dehydroleucodine (DhL), isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser (Asteraceae), prevents damage in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. The trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of chronic inflammation of the rat colon was used to determine the efficacy of DhL, at dose of 40 mg=kg, administered in enema form. All rats were sacrificed on day 7 and the colon excised, weighed, and rated macroscopically. Sections of colon were processed for light microscopy. Macroscopic scoring showed a decrease (p < 0.001) in the degree of damage in the DhL group compared with the group of rats treated with TNBS. Colon mass decreased (p < 0.05) in the DhL group compared with the TNBS group. Treatment with DhL resulted in a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea. Light-microscopic examination revealed preservation of mucosal architecture in the DhL-treated rats. DhL had an effective healing capacity at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. We conclude that DhL decreases injury and=or promotes healing in this model.