title: Salvia miltiorrhiza (dan shen) significantly ameliorates colon inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis.
abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease increases the risks of human colorectal cancer. In this study, the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (SME) on chemically-induced colitis in a mouse model were evaluated. Chemical composition of SME was determined by HPLC analysis. A/J mice received a single injection of AOM 7.5 mg/kg. After one week, these mice received 2.5% DSS for eight days, or DSS plus SME (25 or 50 mg/kg). DSS-induced colitis was scored with the disease activity index (DAI). Body weight and colon length were also measured. The severity of inflammatory lesions was further evaluated by colon tissue histological assessment. HPLC assay showed that the major constituents in the tested SME were danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, salvianolic acid D, and salvianolic acid B. In the model group, the DAI score reached its highest level on Day 8, while the SME group on both doses showed a significantly reduced DAI score (both p < 0.01). As an objective index of the severity of inflammation, colon length was significantly shorter in the model group than the vehicle group. Treatment with 25 and 50 mg/kg of SME inhibited the shortening of colon in a dose-related manner (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). SME groups also significantly reduced weight reduction (p < 0.05). Colitis histological data supported the pharmacological observations. Thus, Salvia miltiorrhiza could be a promising candidate in preventing and treating colitis and in reducing the risks of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing 210009, China , Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA , Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Chong-Zhi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chunhao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhiyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Tyler
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Calway
authors.forename: Yunwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chun-Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012306:Risk; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C028972:dan-shen root extract; D016264:Dextran Sulfate