Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes two major inflammatory disorders of gastrointestinal tract, Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The present study was designed to evaluate protective effect of methanolic extract of Luffa echinata Roxb. (MELE) fruit by using acetic acid induced IBD model in mice. Acute toxicity study was performed for MELE in Wistar rats. No signs of toxicity or mortality were observed in MELE (2000 mg/kg) treated rats. In this study, the methanolic extract was evaluated in two different doses. Those were 50 mg/ kg, p.o. and 100 mg/kg, p.o. Colitis was induced by installation of 0.1 ml of 4 % acetic acid intrarectally in each animals of all group except normal control group on 7th day. Sulafasalazine (360 mg /kg, p.o.) was used as standard. Treatments of above extracts and drug were given till 10 days. % losses in weight and stool consistency were measured throughout study period. At end of study, the inflammatory changes in colon of animals were assessed with help ofcolonmucosal damage index (CMDI), histological score andmyeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The treatment with MELE (50 mg /kg) and (100 mg /kg) showed significant improvement in weight and decreased stool consistency. The CMDI, histological score and MPO activity were also significantly lower by MELE treatment in mice. The results of present study indicate protective effect of methanolic extract of Luffa echinata fruit in IBD might be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.
Loading....