672-678Thalidomide provided significant protection against tri nitro benzene
sulfonic acid induced colitis. Combination therapy also reduced colonic
inflammation and all the biochemical parameters (myeloperoxidase
assay, malondialdehyde assay and tumor necrosis factor- ,
estimation) were
significant as compared to control as well as thalidomide alone treated group.
Combination therapy showed additive effect of thalidomide which restored lipid
peroxidation as well as reduced myeloperoxidase and TNF- towards the normal
levels. Morphological and histological scores were significantly reduced in
combination groups. In experimental model of colitis, oral administration of
thalidomide (150 mg/kg) alone as well as its combination with sulfasalazine
(360 mg/kg) significantly reduced the colonic inflammation. The results
indicate the additive effect of thalidomide with sulfasalazine in rat colitis
model which requires further confirmation in human studies