title: Lemon verbena infusion consumption attenuates oxidative stress in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in the rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) consist of an uncontrolled intestinal inflammation leading to mucosal disruption. This inflammation is accompanied by an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Polyphenols are micronutrients with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, and may play an interesting role in the prevention of intestinal inflammation. Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) infusion is a popular herbal infusion rich in polyphenols (flavones and verbascoside).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the preventive effects of lemon verbena infusion consumption against mild-to-moderate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats drank water or lemon verbena infusion for 14 days. On day 15, half of the rats received DSS (4%) in their drink for 7 days. At the end of the experimental period, the colon was taken for histopathological examination and determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], glutathione reductase [GR], catalase [CAT]), glutathione and lipid peroxidation. Lymphocyte populations were determined in blood, mesenteric nodes and Peyer's patches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rats ingested daily 5.6 μmol of polyphenols. DSS reduced food intake and induced colitis, as reflected by histological lesions and increased MPO activity. Although these alterations were not significantly counteracted by lemon verbena consumption, the herbal infusion increased colonic SOD activity and decreased lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). Other oxidative stress markers (GPx, GR, CAT, glutathione) were not significantly modified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that the preventive consumption of lemon verbena infusion offered some antioxidative protection during experimental colitis by stimulating SOD activity and decreasing lipid peroxidation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie et Phytothérapie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4233, 28 place Henri Dunant, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. loic.lenoir@u-clermont1.fr
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenoir
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossary
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joubert-Zakeyh
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vergnaud-Gauduchon
authors.forename: Marie-Chantal
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Farges
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fraisse
authors.forename: Odile
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Texier
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lamaison
authors.forename: Marie-Paule
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Vasson
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Felgines
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D032412:Verbena
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D028321:Plant Preparations; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase