Benefits of Zataria multiflora Boiss in Experimental Model of Mouse Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of the intestine with unknown etiology involving multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. We were interested to examine the effect of total extract from Zataria multiflora Boiss, a folk medicinal plant on prevention and treatment of experimental IBD. Z. multiflora was administered (400, 600, 900 p.p.m.) through drinking water to IBD mice induced by intrarectal administration of acetic acid. Prednisolone was used as the standard drug for comparison. Biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic examinations of colon were performed. Biochemical evaluation of inflamed colon was done using assay of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration as indicators of free radical activity and cell lipid peroxidation. The activity of MPO and lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) increased in acetic acid-treated groups while recovered by pretreatment of animals with Z. multiflora (400-900 p.p.m.) and prednisolone. Z. multiflora (600 and 900 p.p.m.) and prednisolone-treated groups showed significantly lower score values of macroscopic and microscopic characters when compared with the acetic acid-treated group. The beneficial effect of Z. multiflora (900 p.p.m.) was comparable with that of prednisolone. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potentials of Z. multiflora might be the mechanisms by which this herbal extract protects animals against experimentally induced IBD. Proper clinical investigation should be carried out to confirm the activity in human.

Figure 1.

Light micrograph of bowel tissue from normal or untreated animals which did not receive any treatment. No major histological changes are apparent in micrograph. (H & E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 2.

Light micrographs of bowel tissues from control mice received 0.1 ml of 6% acetic acid solution (once, intrarectally). Major histological changes are apparent in micrograph. Ed, edema; TM, thickened mucosa; GT, granulated tissue; In, inflammation; NL, narrowed lumen; Ne, necrosis; DAC, disrupted architecture of the crypt; PMN, polymorphonuclears; MN, mononuclear; FUM, focal ulceration of mucosa (H & E, ×& E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 3.

Light micrographs of bowel tissues from prednisolone-treated group, which received prednisolone (1.14 mg kg⁻¹ for 3 days) and acetic acid (0.1 ml, 6% solution, once, intrarectally). Minor histological changes are apparent (H & E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 4.

Light micrograph of bowel tissue from Z. multiflora-treated animals, which received 7 days pretreatment with extract (400 p.p.m. in drinking water) and 0.1 ml of 6% acetic acid solution. Major histological changes are apparent in micrograph. Ed, edema; GT, granulated tissue; In, inflammation; Ne, necrosis; DAC, disrupted architecture of the crypt; PMN, polymorphonuclears; MN, mononuclear; TM, thickened mucosa (H & E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 5.

Light micrograph of bowel tissue from Z. multiflora-treated animals, which received 7 days pretreatment with extract (600 p.p.m. in drinking water) and 0.1 ml of 6% acetic acid solution. Some histological changes are apparent. Ed, edema; In, inflammation; DAC, disrupted architecture of the crypt; NL, narrowed lumen; FUM, focal ulceration of mucosa; GT, granulated tissue (H & E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 6.

Light micrograph of bowel tissue from Z. multiflora-treated animals, which received 7 days pretreatment with extract (900 p.p.m. in drinking water) and 0.1 ml of 6% acetic acid solution. Ed, edema; NL, narrowed lumen; DAC, disrupted architecture of the crypt. Minor histological changes are apparent (H & E, ×40 and ×100).

Figure 7.

Effects of Z. multiflora (Z) and prednisolone on lipid peroxidation in acetic acid-induced colitis. Each value represents mean ± SEM percentage of reduction of acetic acid-induced TBARS elevation by treated compounds. The mean ± SEM of TBARS level in normal and control groups were 3.14 ± 0.31 and 5.11 ± 0.50 (μmol g⁻¹ colon), respectively.

Figure 8.

Effects of Z. multiflora (Z) and prednisolone on MPO activity in acetic acid-induced colitis. Each value represents mean ± SEM percentage of reduction of acetic acid-induced MPO elevation by treated compounds. The mean ± SEM of MPO activity in normal and control groups were 2.89 ± 0.17 and 4.76 ± 0.15 (U g⁻¹ colon), respectively.