Comparative Study of Berberis vulgaris Fruit Extract and Berberine Chloride Effects on Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Abstract

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of anthocyanins are abundant in berberry fruits suggesting that they may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-colitic effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract (BFE) compared to berberine chloride (BEC) and corticosteroids using an animal model of acetic acid induced experimental colitis. BFE with three different doses (375, 750, and 1500 mg/Kg) was administered orally or rectally prior to ulcer induction. BEC (10 mg/Kg), prednisolone (5 mg/Kg), hydrocortisone acetate enema (20 mg/Kg) and normal saline (5 mL/Kg) were considered as respective controls. The tissue was assessed macroscopically for damage scores, area, index and weight/length ratio. They were also examined histopathologically for inflammation extent and severity, crypt damage, invasion involvement and total colitis index. Results indicated that greater doses of oral BFE (750, 1500 mg/Kg) as well as BEC (10 mg/Kg) were effective to protect against colonic damage. By rectal pretreatment, the extract was only effective to diminish the ulcer index and the efficacy was not significant for mucosal inflammation parameters. In conclusion BFE, which is nearly devoid of berberine, was effective to protect against colitis and this might be attributed to its anthocyanin constituents.

Keywords: Barberry fruit extract; Berberine; Berberis vulgaris; Colitis; Rats.

Figure 1

Effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract (BFE375, 750, 1500 mg/Kg) and berberine chloride (BerChl, 10 mg/Kg) on total colitis index and ulcer index of colon tissue damage induced by acetic acid in rats. Prednisolone (Pred, 5 mg/Kg) and hydrocortisone acetate (Hydroc, 20 mg/Kg) were used as reference agents. The results were expressed as mean ± SD, (n = 6), *p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 denote significant difference versus control groups

Figure 2

(A) Colitis induced by acetic acid in control rats. Erosion of surface epithelium, destruction of crypts and transmural hyperemia, edema and acute inflammation is evident (H&E section, low power). (B) Acetic acid-induced colitis treated with BFE (1500 mg/Kg); the mononuclear cell infiltrate of the lamina propria is much diminished but there is slight edema separating the crypts. All signs of acute inflammation have disappeared (H&E section, low power). (C) Acetic acid colitis treated with prednisolone (5 mg/Kg); the inflammation and crypt injury have been subsided significantly (H&E section, low power).