Abstract
Apocynin, a constituent of Picrorhiza kurroa, successfully inhibits
NADPH oxidase and shows promise as an anti-inflammatory drug. Now, we report
anti-inflammatory effects of apocynin in an experimental colitis model
induced by dextran sulfate sodium as well as the effects on the mediators
involved in this process. Apocynin reduced the colitis induced in mice by
administration of 5 % dextran sulfate sodium during 7 days. Mice were fed a
control diet or a diet supplemented with 2 % of apocynin or 2 % of rutin.
Sulfasalazine (50 mg/kg, p. o.) was used as a positive control. Treatment
with apocynin and rutin ameliorated the course of colonic inflammation with
results similar to those of the reference drug, as could be seen by
reductions in the disease activity index scores and colon length. NO and
PGE2 production as well as the iNOS and COX-2 expression were
reduced by apocynin and rutin. Moreover, the activation of NF-κB p65
as well as STAT3 in dextran sulfate sodium-treated colon tissues was
significantly reduced by apocynin. These results are promising for further
experimental studies on treating gastrointestinal diseases and on the
potential protective effects of apocynin.
Key words
apocynin - dextran sulfate sodium - inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis
- inflammatory cytokines -
Picrorhiza kurroa
- Scrophulariaceae
