Protective Effect of Korean Hedyotis diffusa Extract Against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Colitis in Mice

Background and Objective: Unregulated and persistent inflammation mediated by the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) can cause the inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We investigated that the aqueous extract of Korean Hedyotis diffusa (HCE) whether can regulate to inhibit Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Materials and Methods: First, to test the toxicity of HCE (within 300 mg kg(-1)/day for 8 days) in the ICR [Hsd:ICR (CD-1 (R))] mice (n = 24). Next, to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of HCE against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in ICR mice, we performed histological analyses of colon tissue (hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue staining) and immunohistochemical staining. Results: Non-toxic concentration of HCE (300 mg kg(-1)) indicated the same pattern compared with the stained hematoxylin and eosin and Alcian blue of normal group. Furthermore, HCE (300 mg kg(-1)) significantly reduced the DSS-induced musosal damages through the down-regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B, COX-2 and iNOS. Conclusion: Our data suggested that HCE (300 mg kg(-1)) may be a potential alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis, as it protected the mouse intestinal mucosal epithelium against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by exerting anti-inflammatory effects.