Anti‐inflammatory effects of Vicenin‐2 on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis in mice

Abstract

Abstract The objective of the present work was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of Vicenin‐2 on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis model. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6J mice by administration of 2% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. In addition to DSS, Vicenin‐2 (50 mg kg −1 /day −1 ) was administrated orally to the test group. The ulceration extent and severity were assessed macroscopically, histopathologically, and by disease activity index. The Vicenin‐2 treated group showed significant differences in physiological parameters including bodyweight, colon weight, and colon length, compared to DSS‐induced colitis group. In addition, Vicenin‐2 treatment effectively reduced stool consistency and bleeding scores. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, expressions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and specific key inflammatory markers (iNOS and COX‐2) significantly increased in DSS‐induced colitis colon tissues. However, administration of Vicenin‐2 effectively reduced the MPO activity, attenuated the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and key inflammatory markers, in DSS‐induced colitis mice. These results were comparable with sulfasalazine, an anti‐inflammatory drug used routinely for ulcerative colitis (UC). These findings suggest that Vicenin‐2 effectively suppresses DSS‐induced colitis by attenuating expressions of key inflammatory mediators and found to be an attractive therapeutic drug for treating UC.