title: Regulatory effects of glycyrrhizae radix extract on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR) is a Korean traditional herb medicine that is widely-used in clinical health care. The clinical functions of GR include relief of toxicity, anti-cancer, regulating blood cholesterol and anti-inflammation. This study investigated the role of GR on ulcerative colitis in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses were done on male BALB/c mice administered 5 % DSS during the experimental period. Ethanol extracts of GR were orally administered at same time daily to control mice. The severity of colitis was measured by body weight change and colon length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DSS-treated mice displayed weight loss and shortened colon length compared with control mice. Mice were administered GR showed less weight loss and longer colon length than the DSS-treated group. Inflammatory cytokines were decreased by GR treatment. Treatment also reduced DSS-induced microscopic damage to colon tissue. GR regulated the phosphorylation of transcription factors such as NF-κB p65 and IκB α.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GR has beneficial effects in a colitis model. GR might be a useful herb medicine in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 570-752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Deok
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 570-752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Keuk-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 570-752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Kyoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Dongduk Woman's University, 23-1 Wolgok-Dong, SungBuk-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 570-752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Nam
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobongro, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 570-752, Republic of Korea. jongsik.jin@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jong-Sik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D016264:Dextran Sulfate
keywords: COX-2; Colon; Dextran sulfate sodium; Glycyrrhizae radix; PGE2; Ulcerative colitis