title: Potential of Moringa oleifera root and Citrus sinensis fruit rind extracts in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The plant Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae), commonly known as the drumstick tree, is an indigenous species in India. This species has been of interest to researchers because traditionally its roots are reported in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Traditionally it is reported that Citrus sinensis Linn (Rutaceae) fruit rind when combined with M. oleifera will increase the efficacy of the plant in the treatment of UC.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present work was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of M. oleifera root alone and in combination with C. sinensis fruit rind in the treatment of UC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanol and aqueous extracts of M. oleifera roots (100 and 200 mg/kg, body weight) were screened alone and in equal combination with ethanol extract of C. sinensis fruit rind, i.e., 50 mg/kg each of C. sinensis and M. oleifera for their activity on acetic acid-induced UC in mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with combination of extracts of M. oleifera root and C. sinensis fruit rind (50 mg/kg, each) showed less ulceration and hyperemia than individual extract (200 mg/kg) in histopathological observation. Acetic acid increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in blood and colon tissue to 342 U/mL and 384 U/mg, respectively. Combination of ethanol extract of M. oleifera root with C. sinensis fruit rind extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased MPO in blood and tissue to 278 U/mL and 291 U/mg, respectively. MPO in blood and tissue in control group was 85 ± 1.2 U/mL and 96 ± 1.3 U/mg, respectively. Similarly this combination significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level in blood and tissue to 7.11 nmol/mL and 8.19 nmol/mg, from 11.20 nmol/mL and 13.20 nmol/mg, respectively. MDA in blood and tissue in control group was 2.76 ± 1.2 nmol/mL and 3.76 ± 1.2 nmol/mg, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that a combination of M. oleifera root extracts with C. sinensis fruit rind extract is effective in the treatment of UC and results are comparable with the standard drug prednisolone.
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Loni, Maharashtra, India.
authors: Prashant A
authors: PA
authors: Gholap
authors: Sunil A
authors: SA
authors: Nirmal
authors: Shashikant R
authors: SR
authors: Pattan
authors: Subodh C
authors: SC
authors: Pal
authors: Subhash C
authors: SC
authors: Mandal
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005638:Fruit; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D029588:Moringa oleifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D011239:Prednisolone; D009195:Peroxidase; D019342:Acetic Acid