title: Aloysia triphylla infusion protects rats against dextran sulfate sodium-induced colonic damage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory bowel diseases consist of uncontrolled intestinal inflammation leading to mucosal disruption. Polyphenols are micronutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may play an interesting role in the prevention of intestinal inflammation. Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla (L'Herit.) Britton, Verbenaceae) infusion is a popular herbal drink rich in polyphenols. This study evaluated the protective effects of lemon verbena infusion consumption on the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. The infusion was given to rats as a drink providing 82 µmol polyphenols day(-1) for 21 days. Colitis was induced with 40 g l(-1) DSS in the drink for the last 7 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lemon verbena infusion treatment restored body weight gain and prevented colonic shortening. Despite no protective effect on myeloperoxidase activity, A. triphylla infusion limited histological colonic alterations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that lemon verbena infusion partially protects rats against DSS-induced inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie et Phytothérapie, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4233, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenoir
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joubert-Zakeyh
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: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003092:Colitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D029648:Verbenaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase