Ocimum gratissimum Linn (Lamiaceae) protects Wistar rats against inflammation and oxidative stress in Trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid induced colitis

Oyindamola O Abiodun, Nora Nwadike, Aderemi S Sosanya, Fisayo N Ogunleye

Abstract


Background and Aim: The activity of methanol extract of leaf of Ocimum gratissimum a plant with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-ulcerogenic activities in a rat model of colitis was evaluated. 
Experimental procedures: Colitis was induced in 30 out of 35 female Wistar rats by intracolonic instillation of 0.25 mL of 40 mg/mL 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The rats (180-200 g) were distributed into 7 groups (n = 5): non colitic, untreated colitic and colitic rats treated with prednisolone (2 mg/K g, for 7 days) or pre-treated 2 days before induction of colitis with O. gratissimum (50 - 400 mg/Kg) and for additional 7 days post-colitis. Colonic levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α), myoperoxidase activity (MPO) and histology were assessed 24 hours post-treatment in euthanized rats. 
Results: O. gratissimum at 400 mg/Kg produced the highest reduction in colonic damage score, weight/length ratio, malondialdehyde level, TNF-α level, leucocytes infiltration (MPO activity) and prevented reduction of colonic GSH level compared to prednisolone and other doses of O. gratissimum in colitic rats (p < 0.05). 
Conclusion: O. gratissimum ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis through inhibition of leucocytes infiltration, down regulation of cytokines and scavenging of free radicals.

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