Şener, Tarık Emre Marmara University, Turkey , Kardaş, Rıza Can Marmara University, Turkey , Şehirli, Ahmet Özer Marmara University - School of Pharmacy - Department of Pharmacology, TURKEY , Ekşioğlu-Demiral, Emel Marmara University - School of Medicine - Department of Hematology Immunology, Turkey , Yüksel, Meral Marmara University - Vocational School of Health Related Professions, Turkey , Çetinel, Şule Marmara University - School of Medicine - Department of Histology Embryology, Turkey , Yeğen, Berrak C. Marmara University - School of Medicine - Department of Physiology, Turkey , Şener, Göksel Marmara University - School of Pharmacy - Department of Pharmacology, TURKEY

The effect of betulinic acid on TNBS-induced experimental colitis

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In this study we have investigated the possible protective effect of betulinic acid (BA) on colonic inflammation in rats. Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes by intracolonic administration of 1 ml trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Colitisinduced rats received orogastrically either betulinic acid (50 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (0.05% DMSO) for 3 days. At the 72nd hour of colitis induction, the rats were decapitated and trunk blood was collected for the measurement of TNF-α, IL-1β, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and total antioxidant capacity (AOC). The distal 8 cm of colon were scored macroscopically, and the degree of oxidant damage was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), collagen content and by histological analysis. Generation of oxidants was evaluated by tissue luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescences (CL). Colitis caused significant increases in the colonic CL values, macroscopic damage scores, MDA, MPO and collagen levels, along with a significant decrease in tissue GSH level. Similarly, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, as well as LDH were elevated and AOC was reduced in the vehicle-treated colitis group as compared to control group. On the other hand, betulinic acid treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations induced by TNBS, suggesting that betulinic acid protects the colonic tissue via its radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.

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betulinic acid , colitis , oxidative damage , inflammation , trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid

Journal of Research in Pharmacy

59