title: Anti-inflammatory intestinal activity of Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) in TNBS colitis model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Brazilian traditional medicine, Arctium lappa (Asteraceae), has been reported to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated the effects of the lactone sesquiterpene onopordopicrin enriched fraction (ONP fraction) from Arctium lappa in an experimental colitis model induced by 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and performed experiments to elucidate the underlying action mechanisms involved in that effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  ONP fraction (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered 48, 24 and 1 h prior to the induction of colitis and 24 h after. The inflammatory response was assessed by gross appearance, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and a histological study of the lesions. We determined cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 protein expressions by western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TNBS group was characterized by increased colonic wall thickness, edema, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration, increased MPO activity and TNF-α levels. On the contrary, ONP fraction (25 and 50 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced the macroscopic inflammation scores (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) and morphological alterations associated with an increase in the mucus secretion. Similarly, the degree of neutrophil infiltration and the cytokine levels were significantly ameliorated. Moreover, COX-2 expression was up regulated in TNBS-treated rats. In contrast, ONP fraction (50 mg/kg) administration reduced COX-2 overexpression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have shown that the ONP fraction obtained from Arctium lappa exert marked protective effects in acute experimental colitis, confirming and justifying, at least in part, the popular use of this plant to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
authors: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biology Institute, University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors: Ana Beatriz Albino
authors: AB
authors: de Almeida
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Sánchez-Hidalgo
authors: Antonio Ramón
authors: AR
authors: Martín
authors: Anderson
authors: A
authors: Luiz-Ferreira
authors: José Roberto
authors: JR
authors: Trigo
authors: Wagner
authors: W
authors: Vilegas
authors: Lourdes Campaner
authors: LC
authors: dos Santos
authors: Alba Regina Monteiro
authors: AR
authors: Souza-Brito
authors: Catalina Alarcón
authors: CA
authors: de la Lastra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031170:Arctium; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D009195:Peroxidase; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C489691:Ptgs2 protein, rat