Methanol Extract of Juliania adstringens Attenuates Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate Induced Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune genetic and environmental factors. In the present study we were interested in examining the protective effect of Juliania adstringens Schltdl. methanolic extract (JAME), an Mexican folk medicinal plant, on inflammatory mediators in 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‑induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice (BALB/c strain). Treatment with JAME at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 10 days improved colon shortening, body weight, the disease activity index (DAI), and histopathological score of DSS-induced colitis mice. The level of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of nitrosative stress and TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ were measured in the colon homogenate. Treatment by DSS increased bowel SOD, CAT, NO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ. All measured parameters were improved by Juliania adstringens treatment and reached close to normal levels. The present study further supports the role of oxidative/nitrosative stresses and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ) in the pathogenesis of colitis and protective effects of this herb. Our results provide direct evidences that JAME have a therapeutic potential for alleviating inflammatory colitis in mice.