The effect of betulinic acid on TNBS-induced experimental colitis

Year 2013, Volume: 17 Issue: 1, 52 - 59, 07.03.2014

Tarık Şener Rıza Kardaş Ahmet Şehirli Emel Ekşioğlu-demiral Meral Yüksel Şule Çetinel Berrak Yeğen Göksel Şener

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this study we have investigated the possible protective effect of betulinic acid
(BA) on colonic inflammation in rats. Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats of both
sexes by intracolonic administration of 1 ml trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Colitisinduced
rats received orogastrically either betulinic acid (50 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (0.05%
DMSO) for 3 days. At the 72nd hour of colitis induction, the rats were decapitated and trunk
blood was collected for the measurement of TNF-, IL-1, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels
and total antioxidant capacity (AOC). The distal 8 cm of colon were scored macroscopically,
and the degree of oxidant damage was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) and
glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), collagen content and by histological
analysis. Generation of oxidants was evaluated by tissue luminol and lucigenin
chemiluminescences (CL). Colitis caused significant increases in the colonic CL values,
macroscopic damage scores, MDA, MPO and collagen levels, along with a significant decrease
in tissue GSH level. Similarly, serum TNF-, IL-1, as well as LDH were elevated and
AOC was reduced in the vehicle-treated colitis group as compared to control group. On the
other hand, betulinic acid treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological
alterations induced by TNBS, suggesting that betulinic acid protects the colonic
tissue via its radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.
KEY WORDS: betulinic acid; colitis; oxidative damage; inflammation;
trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid

Keywords

betulinic acid; colitis; oxidative damage; inflammation; trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid

The effect of betulinic acid on TNBS-induced experimental colitis

Abstract

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