Protective effect of sarsasapogenin in TNBS induced ulcerative colitis in rats associated with downregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress

Abstract

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition considered by oxido-nitrosative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that affects the mucosal lining of the colon. Sarsasapogenin (SG), as an active component, has been found in many plants, and it exhibits potential protective effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-psoriasis, anti-arthritis, anti-asthma, anti-depressant and anti-cancer. However, the effects of SG on UC remain unknown.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SG on 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC in rats.

Method

Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: (i) Normal control, (ii) Disease control (TNBS), (iii) Sarsasapogenin (SG) (50 µg/rat), (iv) Fluticasone (FC) (50 µg/rat), (v) Sarsasapogenin + Fluticasone (SG + FC) (25 µg/rat). UC was induced in rats by trans-rectal instillation of TNBS (10 mg/kg). SG, FC and SG + FC were administered for 11 days and on the 8th day colitis was induced. Several molecular, biochemical and histological alterations were evaluated in the colon tissue. All treatment group results were compared to the TNBS group results.

Result

The study results revealed that treatment of rats with SG and SG + FC combination significantly decreased the colon weight/length ratio, macroscopic inflammation score, lesions score, diarrhea score and adhesion score. Combination treatment in rats significantly reduced the production of biochemical parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, haematological parameters, serum IgE levels and restored the oxidative stress markers. SG and SG + FC treatment also considerably restored the histopathological changes induced by TNBS.

Conclusion

Thus, SG and SG + FC combination could alter the disease progression and could be a hopeful therapeutic target for the management of UC by reducing its dose in combination with FC to elude the long term adverse effects of FC.

Keywords:

• Sarsasapogenin
• ulcerative colitis
• trinitrobenzensulfonic acid
• fluticasone
• haematological parameters
• pro-inflammatory cytokines
• antioxidants

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. A. P. Pawar, Principal, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune for providing helpful article writing suggestions.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.