Protective Effect of

introductionAnti-oxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects have been reported for

methodsThree doses of AGHE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), AGME (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg), and luteolin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were administered orally (p.o.) to separate groups of male Wistar rats, 2 h before ulcer induction (acetic acid 4%) and continued once daily for 4 days. Prednisolone (4 mg/kg) and mesalazine (100 mg/kg) were used as reference and vehicle (2 mL/kg) as control groups. Colon biopsies were taken for weighting, macroscopic and histopathologic evaluation, and measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity.

resultsOur findings showed that AGHE (200 and 400 mg/kg), AGME (400 and 800 mg/kg), and luteolin (10 and 20 mg/kg) were effective to reduce colonic ulcer score, area, and index as well as total colitis index, and MPO activity significantly in comparison with controls. Since the lowest doses of extracts and luteolin were not significantly effective to diminish evaluated parameters of colitis, it is concluded that the ameliorative effect was dose related.

conclusionIt is also concluded that both extracts and luteolin, as an important ingredient of celery extract, were effective in the amelioration of colitis in rats, but further clinical and detailed mechanistic experiments are required to introduce these natural agents for colitis treatment or prevention in human.