Glycyrrhetic Acid Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Vivo.
Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) is a Korean traditional herb medicine that is widely used in clinical health care. Glycyrrhetic acid (GA) is an aglycone saponin extracted from GR that has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-viral effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of GA in colitis have not been reported. This study investigated the role of GA on ulcerative colitis in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model. DSS-treated mice displayed weight loss and shortened colon length compared with control mice. Mice administered GA showed less weight loss and longer colon length than the DSS-treated group. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were decreased by GA treatment. GA treatment also reduced DSS-induced microscopic damage to colon tissue. GA regulates the phosphorylation of transcription factors including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and IκB alpha, and regulates the expression of cycloxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E₂. GA thus showed beneficial effects in a mouse model of colitis, implicating GA might be a useful herb-derived medicine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan 570-752(1), Korea. dugicom@nate.com.
Yong-Deok
YD
Jeon
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan 570-752(1), Korea. rkdtkgod@naver.com.
Sa-Haeng
SH
Kang
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan 570-752(1), Korea. ksbang@jbnu.ac.kr.
Keuk-Soo
KS
Bang
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan 570-752(1), Korea. chyn@jbnu.ac.kr.
Young-Nam
YN
Chang
Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dongduk Woman's University, 23-1 Wolgok-Dong, SungBuk-Gu, Seoul 136-714, Korea. naturalmed@dongduk.ac.kr.
Jong-Hyun
JH
Lee
Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan 570-752(1), Korea. jongsik.jin@jbnu.ac.kr.
Jong-Sik
JS
Jin
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000737:chemistry; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C587672:IL1B protein, mouse; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D006034:Glycyrrhetinic Acid
anti-inflammation; dextran sulfate sodium; glycyrrhetic acid; ulcerative colitis