title: Biochemical and histopathological evidence on the beneficial effects of Tragopogon graminifolius in TNBS-induced colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (Compositae) (TG) has been proposed as an efficacious remedy for gastrointestinal ulcers in Iranian traditional medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluates the efficacy of TG on experimental colitis and the responsible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  After induction of IBD by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), rats received standardized ethanol extract of TG aerial part at 20, 30, or 50 mg/kg/d orally. After 12 d, the rats were sacrificed and the colon was removed and assessed for macroscopic and microscopic changes. Also, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), total antioxidant capacity, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured in the colon homogenate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TG extract significantly reduced macroscopic and microscopic scores of colitis with ED50 values of 23 and 39 mg/kg, respectively. MPO was significantly reduced in all plant extract groups with an ED50 value of 41 mg/kg. The ED50 values of extract for inhibition of TNF-α and LPO were 44 and 93 mg/kg, respectively. IL-1β significantly decreased by 50 mg/kg of TG extract (ED50 = 57 mg/kg). Total antioxidant power markedly increased by 50 mg/kg group (ED50 = 43 mg/kg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TG exhibited efficacy on TNBS-induced colitis via anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and mucosal healing properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TG possesses promising healing function on colitis. Clinical trials are warranted to prove its efficacy and tolerability in IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran .
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Farzaei
authors.forename: Seyedeh Farnaz
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ghasemi-Niri
authors.forename: Amir Hosein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Abdolghafari
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeeri
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khanavi
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navaei-Nigjeh
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
authors.forename: Roja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rahimi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003092:Colitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031188:Tragopogon; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
keywords: Herbal medicine; inflammatory bowel disease; inflammatory cytokines; medicinal plant; neutrophil infiltration; oxidative stress; phenolic compounds; traditional medicine