title: Plant-derived polysaccharide supplements inhibit dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in the rat.
abstract: Several plant-derived polysaccharides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. Ambrotose complex and Advanced Ambrotose are dietary supplements that include aloe vera gel, arabinogalactan, fucoidan, and rice starch, all of which have shown such activity. This study was designed to evaluate these formulations against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats and to confirm their short-term safety after 14 days of daily dosing. Rats were dosed daily orally with vehicle, Ambrotose or Advanced Ambrotose. On day six groups of rats received tap water or 5% Dextran Sulfate sodium. Ambrotose and Advanced Ambrotose significantly lowered the disease scores and partially prevented the shortening of colon length. An increase in monocyte count was induced by dextran sulfate sodium and inhibited by Ambrotose and Advanced Ambrotose. There were no observable adverse effects after 14-day daily doses. The mechanism of action of the formulations against DSS-induced colitis may be related to its effect on monocyte count.
authors.affiliation: Eurofins Product Safety Laboratories, Dayton, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koetzner
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boulet
authors.forename: Henry I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Jacoby
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005685:Galactans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013213:Starch / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D005685:Galactans; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013213:Starch; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; C007789:fucoidan; C005653:arabinogalactan