title: Anti-inflammatory effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds on acetic acid-induced acute colitis in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and antioxidant properties of Moringa oleifera Lam. suggest that it might have beneficial effects on colitis. The present study was performed to investigate the anticolitis effect of Moringa oleifera seeds hydro-alcoholic extract (MSHE) and its chloroform fraction (MCF) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both MSHE and MCF with three increasing doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were administered orally to separate groups of male Wistar rats, 2 h before ulcer induction (using acetic acid 4%) and continued for 5 days. Prednisolone (4 mg/kg) and normal saline (1 ml/kg) were used in reference and control groups, respectively. All rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose (at day 6) and tissue injuries were assessed macroscopically and pathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extracts with three doses mentioned before were effective to reduce weight of distal colon (8 cm) as a marker for inflammation and tissue edema. Three doses of MSHE and two greater doses of MCF (100 and 200 mg/kg) were effective to reduce ulcer severity, area, and index as well as mucosal inflammation severity and extent, crypt damage, invasion involvement, total colitis index, and MPO activity compared with controls. MCF (50 mg/kg) was not significantly effective in reducing evaluated parameters of colitis compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that MSHE and MCF were both effective to treat experimental colitis and this might be attributed to their similar major components, biophenols and flavonoids. Since the efficacy was evident even in low doses of MSHE, presence of active constituents with high potency in seeds is persuasive.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. Iran ; Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan, I. R. Iran.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Minaiyan
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. Iran.
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Asghari
authors: Department of Clinical Pathology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. Iran.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Taheri
authors: Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan, I. R. Iran.
authors: Mozhgan
authors: M
authors: Saeidi
authors: School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I. R. Iran.
authors: Salar
authors: S
authors: Nasr-Esfahani
keywords: Acetic acid; Colitis; Inflammation; Moringa oleifera Lam.; Rats; Seeds extract