STW 5 is effective in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats

Abstract

PurposeAn herbal preparation, STW 5, used clinically in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, has been shown to possess properties that may render it useful in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The present work was conducted to study its effectiveness in a rat model of IBD.MethodsAn experimental model reflecting ulcerative colitis in man was adopted, whereby colitis was induced in Wistar rats by feeding them 5 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for one week. STW 5 and sulfasalazine (as a reference standard) were administered orally daily for 1 week before colitis induction and continued during DSS feeding. The animals were then sacrificed, and the severity of colitis was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Colon samples were homogenized for determination of reduced glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-3 as well as myeloperoxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. In addition, colon segments were suspended in an organ bath to test their reactivity towards carbachol, KCl, and trypsin.ResultsSTW 5 and sulfasalazine were both effective in preventing the shortening of colon length and the increase in both colon mass index and total histology score as well as the changes in biochemical parameters measured except changes in dismutase activity. DSS-induced colitis led to marked depression in colonic responsiveness to the agents tested ex vivo, an effect which was normalized by both drugs.ConclusionsThe findings point to a potential usefulness of STW 5 in the clinical setting of ulcerative colitis.

Mechanism of Action of STW 5 in Functional Dyspepsia and IBS: The Origin of Multi-Target

“…Tonicizing effects, for instance, were reported in inflammation-induced intestinal dysmotility. In an experimental model of DSS-induced colitis, pretreatment of rats with STW 5 for 1 week effectively prevented inflammation-induced decreased colonic motor response to carbachol or KCl [9]. Similar effects were shown in an ex vivo model of colitis, where STW 5 normalized TNBS-induced attenuated small intestinal and colonic reactivity to acetylcholine [10,11].…”

“…This effect was mirrored in reduced morphological changes induced by TNBS in mucosal and muscle layers [23,24]. These potent anti-inflammatory effects were also shown in in vivo models of TNBS-and DSSinduced colitis in rats [9,25]. In yet another in vivo model, STW 5 partially reduced the severity of 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in rats on a morphological and functional level [26].…”

A multi-component herbal preparation, STW 5, shows anti-apoptotic effects in radiation induced intestinal mucositis in rats

“…The potent antioxidant activity of STW5 was reported in several experimental models (Germann et al, 2006;Wadie et al, 2012) and was evidenced here by attenuation of the depletion in GSH content and reduction of the elevated TBARS and nitrite levels in intestinal tissue. The anti-inflammatory properties of STW 5 have been reported in several in vitro (Schempp et al, 2006;Michael et al, 2009) and in vivo models (Abdel-Aziz et al, 2010;Wadie et al, 2012). Various indices in the present findings point to the fact that certain parameters of inflammation may also have contributed to the preservation of the mucosal integrity of the small intestine and protected against apoptosis.…”

Investigation of STW 5 (Iberogast®) preventive effects in experimental sepsis

“…Our previous studies confirmed this result implying that some factors such as low bioavailability or little antibacterial activity are involved in the ineffectiveness of caraway hydroalcoholic extract in septic tissue protection (Dadkhah et al, 2011c;Fatemi et al, 2010b). However, STW 5 is reported as having good bioavailability within the tissue in in vitro/in vivo/ex vivo systems Wadie et al, 2012). Moreover, it is reported that STW 5 has some antibacterial activity on the growth of Helicobacter pylori strains in in vitro system (Saller et al, 2002b).…”