title: A Picrorhiza kurroa derivative, picroliv, attenuates the development of dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Picroliv, a Picrorhiza kurroa derivative, has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of picroliv on experimental model of UC in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Picroliv was administrated orally by gavage to mice with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histology score were observed. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and SOD, MDA concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while the expression of cytokine mRNAs was studied by real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and also ELISA. The expression of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement was observed in DAI and histological score in mice treated with picroliv, and incerased MPO activity, MDA concentrations, and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 in mice with DSS-induced colitis were significantly reduced while decreased SOD level increased following administration of picroliv.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of picroliv leads to an amelioration of DSS-induced colitis, suggesting administration of picroliv may provide a therapeutic approach for UC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: De-Kui
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-Jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yu-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yan-Hu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006027:Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D032261:Picrorhiza / Q000737:chemistry*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014641:Vanillic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002934:Cinnamates; D006027:Glycosides; C057463:kutkin; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D014641:Vanillic Acid