On the benefit of Teucrium in murine colitis through improvement of toxic inflammatory mediators

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2010 Apr;29(4):287-95. doi: 10.1177/0960327110361754. Epub 2010 Feb 9.

Abstract

Regarding the role of free radicals in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we were interested to investigate the effects of Teucrium persicum with approved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in an experimental model of colitis. Immunologic colitis was induced by rectal administration of a mixture of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol through rubber cannula into rats. Three different doses of Teucrium (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were gavaged in a duration of 10 days to rats. Endpoint markers of colitis included macroscopic and microscopic examination of colon tissue and measuring colonic cells concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interlukin-1beta (IL-1beta), total antioxidant power as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lipid peroxidation as thiobarbitoric acid-reactive substance (TBARS). Teucrium at all doses improved both macroscopic and histological damages of rats with colitis. Teucrium reduced colonic MPO activity and concentrations of cellular lipid peroxides, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta, with a concomitant increase in FRAP value in rats with colitis. It is concluded that beneficial effects of Teucrium in experimental colitis is mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Examination of this herbal medicine in patients with IBD as a supplement would further reveal the potential of Teucrium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / drug therapy*
  • Colitis / immunology
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colon / drug effects*
  • Colon / immunology
  • Colon / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Ethanol
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Teucrium*
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Plant Preparations
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Ethanol
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Peroxidase