Protective Effect of Calendula officinalis (L.) Flower Extract in Acetic Acid–Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

ABSTRACT

Rats were pretreated with graded doses of Calendula officinalis flower extract (COE) for 7 consecutive days and then induced colitis by intrarectal acetic acid. The treatment with COE was continued up to 10 d. Pretreatment with COE decreased clinical activity and macroscopic scores and reduced the colonic myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxides, and serum lactate dehydrogenase, and increased the reduced glutathione. These findings were confirmed by the histopathological studies that followed.

KEYWORDS:

• Compositae
• inflammation
• irritable bowel diseases
• myeloperoxidase

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to the President, Soniya Education Trust, and Principal, SET’s College of Pharmacy, Dharwad, Karnataka, for support and encouragement. We thank Dr. V. S. Patil, Assoc. Professor, Horticulture Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India, for his help in identification and collection of plant material.