Siegesbeckia pubescens ameliorates experimental ulcerative colitis in rats by modulating PPARγ

Siegesbeckia pubescens is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in clinic. In order to evaluate its therapeutic effect against ulcerative colitis (UC) and elucidate its possible mechanisms, in this study, the effect of aqueous extract of S. pubescens (SPA) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced experimental UC in rats was determined. The results showed that oral administration of SPA significantly ameliorated colonic edema, hyperemia, inflammation and anabrosis in TNBS-induced experimental UC in rats. In addition, SPA inhibited MPO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IFN-gamma) production, and up-regulated PPAR. expression in colon. These results indicated that SPA has therapeutic effects against TNBS-induced experimental UC in rats, and its underlying mechanisms involve the modulation of PPAR gamma-mediated production of inflammatory mediators. These findings highlight the potential of this traditional Chinese medicine as an agent for use in the treatment of UC.