Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens Root Ameliorates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-induced Ethanol Augmented Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

Aim: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory condition of the colon. Studies have indicated that Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens root extract possess antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens aqueous root extract in Dextran Sodium Sulfate induced, ethanol augmented ulcerative colitis in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were administered with 2% Dextran Sodium Sulfate for 3 consecutive days orally followed by intracolonic instillation of 30% ethanol on 4th day. These animals were randomly divided into 4 groups viz.: Disease, Low dose extract -200 mg/kg, High dose extract -400 mg/kg and Sulfasalazine-500 mg/kg while healthy, untreated rats were assigned as the normal control group. Treatment with the extract and the standard was initiated on day 5, continued throughout the study period of 21 days. The effect of extract on Ulcerative Colitis was determined by evaluating haematological parameters, disease activity index, ulcer index, colon and spleen weight, biochemical parameters (malonaldehyde, glutathione, Catalase) and histopathological studies. Results: Animals treated orally with extract showed a reduction in Disease activity Index and Ulcer Index compared to disease control. Moreover, a significant decrease (p<0.01) in malonaldehyde and a significant increase (p<0.01) in catalase and glutathione levels compared to the disease group were also observed. Histopathological examination also showed augmentation of colonic architecture on treatment with extract, all of which confirmed the protective effect of extract against Dextran Sodium Sulfate- ethanolinduced Ulcerative Colitis. Conclusion: These results suggest that Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens root was able to attenuate Dextran Sodium Sulfate induced ethanol augmented ulcerative colitis indicating its anti-ulcerative colitis effects.