Modulating effect of Biophytum sensitivum extract on rats with acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis

Context: Traditionally, Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC (Oxalidaceae) is used in Indian medicine to treat diseases include stomachache, convulsions, cramps, inflammation, and ulcer. Objective: The present study examines the effect of aerial parts of B. sensitivum (methanol extract) on a murine model of ulcerative colitis (UC). Materials and methods: UC was induced by intracolonic injection of 3% acetic acid in Wistar rats. B. sensitivum (50 or 100 mg/kg b wt) or reference drug sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg b wt) was administrated intra-peritoneally for 5 consecutive days before induction of colitis. Results: In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that the administration of B. sensitivum (50 mg/kg b wt) was found to inhibit colitis by lowering macroscopic score (up to 3.66 +/- 0.77) and also showed significant reduction (p<0.01) in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities. Furthermore, a significant reduction (p<0.01) in mucosal content of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) confirms that B. sensitivum could significantly inhibit colitis. The study showed significant reduction (p<0.01) in colonic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta), and IL-6 levels as well as the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) after treatment compared with the colitis control group. The histopathological study also confirms the foregoing findings. Treatment with B. sensitivum was also able to inhibit the activation and translocation of transcription factors, nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B subunits (p65/p50). Conclusion: These results suggest that B. sensitivum exhibits protective effect against acetic acid-induced UC.