title: Potential of Vitex negundo roots in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) is an indigenous tree species in India. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because traditionally its roots are reported in the treatment of ulcer and colic pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present work was undertaken to validate its folk use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) by using the method of acetic acid-induced colitis in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanol and aqueous extracts of roots of V. negundo (100 mg/kg) were screened for use in the treatment of UC by the method of acetic acid-induced UC in mice. Macroscopical study of the colon, level of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) in colon tissue and blood and histopathology of the colon tissue were studied for the assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethanol extract (100 mg/kg) reduced the level of MPO in blood from 355 ± 0.39 to 240 ± 0.36 U/mL and from 385 ± 0.35 to 257 ± 0.36 U/mg in tissue. Similarly, it reduced the level of MDA in blood from 9.40 ± 0.42 to 6.10 ± 0.36 nmol/mL and from 9.38 ± 0.56 to 5.89 ± 0.56 U/mg in tissue. Both the results are comparable with the standard drug, prednisolone (5 mg/kg). This preventive effect was observed by morphological and histopathological study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed that ethanol extract of V. negundo root is effective in the treatment of UC and results are comparable with the standard drug, prednisolone, and thus possessing a great potential in the treatment of UC.
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Loni, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Bharati B
authors: BB
authors: Zaware
authors: Sunil A
authors: SA
authors: Nirmal
authors: D G
authors: DG
authors: Baheti
authors: Anuja N
authors: AN
authors: Patil
authors: Subhash C
authors: SC
authors: Mandal