title: Use of Cordia dichotoma bark in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The plant Cordia dichotoma Forst. f. (Boraginaceae) is commonly known as "Bhokar" in Marathi. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because traditionally its bark is 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 scientific methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dried bark powder was extracted with methanol and this crude methanol extract was fractionated using various solvents. These fractions were tested for effectiveness against UC. Macroscopical study and histopathology of the colon, level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in colon and blood were studied for the assessment of the activity. Antioxidant activity of these fractions was screened by using various methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals treated with the methanol fraction of the crude methanol extract showed lower pathological scores and good healing. This fraction reduced MPO and MDA levels significantly in blood and tissue. It showed antioxidant potential [in DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay IC₅₀ value is 26.25; trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity µg/ml TE/g of plant material on dry basis in ABTS (2,2'-azinobis[3-ethylbenzthiazoline]-6-sulfonic acid) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant potential) assay is 2.03 and 2.45, respectively]. The fraction contains a high level of phenolics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methanol fraction of crude methanol extract of C. dichotoma bark is effective in the treatment of UC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Loni, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Anjali B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ganjare
authors.forename: Sunil A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nirmal
authors.forename: Ruksana A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rub
authors.forename: Anuja N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Shashikant R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pattan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D031213:Cordia; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D009195:Peroxidase