Evaluation of the mechanism of action of Aegle marmelos in a murine model of 3% dextran sulphate sodium induced acute colitis

Abstract

Background: An earlier study by us in a murine model of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced acute colitis showed that aqueous extract of unripe fruit of Aegle marmelos (780 mg/kg/day) was comparable with Sulfasalazine. In this study we evaluated the same extract for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and prebiotic activity in the same model. Methods: 48 adult swiss albino mice (>6 weeks age) of either sex (18-25 grams) were divided into four groups (n=12/) i.e., normal control (distilled water-10 ml/kg/day), Disease control (Distilled water-10 ml/kg/day), Positive Control (Sulfasalazine-100 mg/kg/day) and Test drug (A. marmelos-780 mg/kg/day). The drug/vehicle was administered orally for 14 days from day 1 through day 14. Acute colitis was induced by adding 3% DSS in drinking water from day 8 to 14 in all groups except normal control. The animals were euthanized on day 15, each group were divided into two batches (n=6). One batches were used to estimate colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) and TNF-α. The other batch was used to cultivate lactobacilli and aerobic microbiota from colonic contents, three animals from this batch were also used to estimate colonic MPO and TNF-α. Results: Mice administered A. marmelos, and sulfasalazine showed significantly higher colon lengths, colon weight/ length ratios, colonic TNF-α and MPO levels, and both were significantly better than disease control. Lactobacilli and aerobic bacteria counts were significantly higher in A. marmelos group compared to the disease control and were comparable to normal control. However, sulfasalazine showed no improvement in the colonic microbiota counts. Conclusions: A. marmelos showed anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and prebiotic activity