Ameliorative effect of IDS 30, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on chronic colitis.
OBJECTIVE
Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies are very effective in the treatment of acute Crohn's disease, but are limited by the decline of their effectiveness after repeated applications. The stinging nettle leaf extract, IDS 30, is an adjuvant remedy in rheumatic diseases dependent on a cytokine suppressive effect. We investigated the effect of IDS 30 on disease activity of murine colitis in different models.


METHODS
C3H.IL-10-/- and BALB/c mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) were treated with either IDS 30 or water. Mice were monitored for clinical signs of colitis. Inflammation was scored histologically, and faecal IL-1beta and mucosal cytokines were measured by ELISA. Mononuclear cell proliferation of spleen and Peyer's patches were quantified by 3H-thymidine.


RESULTS
Mice with chronic DSS colitis or IL-10-/- mice treated with IDS 30 clinically and histologically revealed significantly (p < 0.05) fewer signs of colitis than untreated animals. Furthermore, faecal IL-1beta and mucosal TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in treated mice. Mononuclear cell proliferation after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in mice treated with IDS 30.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term use of IDS 30 is effective in the prevention of chronic murine colitis. This effect seems to be due to a decrease in the Th1 response and may be a new therapeutic option for prolonging remission in inflammatory bowel disease.
Konrad
Astrid
A
Division of Gastroenterology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Berne, Switzerland. frank.seibold@insel.ch
Mähler
Michael
M
Arni
Stephan
S
Flogerzi
Beatrice
B
Klingelhöfer
Sonja
S
Seibold
Frank
F
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003092:Colitis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D026982:Urtica dioica / Q000737:chemistry*
C504892:IDS 30; D010936:Plant Extracts