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. 2017:2017:1298263.
doi: 10.1155/2017/1298263. Epub 2017 Jan 22.

Protective Effect of Daikenchuto on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Takaharu Matsunaga  1 , Shinichi Hashimoto  1 , Naoki Yamamoto  2 , Ryo Kawasato  1 , Tomohiro Shirasawa  1 , Atsushi Goto  1 , Koichi Fujisawa  3 , Taro Takami  1 , Takeshi Okamoto  1 , Jun Nishikawa  4 , Isao Sakaida  1
Affiliations

Protective Effect of Daikenchuto on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Takaharu Matsunaga et al. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2017.

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the effect of daikenchuto (TJ-100; DKT) for ulcerative colitis (UC) model mouse and assess its anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Methods. We evaluated the effects of DKT on dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced experimental colitis. First, we assessed the short-term effects of DKT using two groups: 5% DSS group and 5% DSS with DKT group. Colon length; histological scores; and interleukin- (IL-) 10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression profiles were analyzed using real-time PCR. Second, we assessed the long-term effects of DKT, by comparing survival time between 2% DSS and 2% DSS with DKT groups. Results. After 7 days, the colon lengths of DSS + DKT group were longer than those of the DSS group (mean values: 6.11 versus 5.69 cm, p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to DSS group, the DSS + DKT group maintained significantly higher levels of serum hemoglobin (13.1 versus 10.7 g/dL, p < 0.05) and exhibited significantly higher expression levels of IL-10 (p < 0.05). The 2% DSS + DKT group exhibited significantly longer survival time than the 2% DSS group (70 versus 44 days, p < 0.01). Conclusion. Our results indicate that DKT prevented inflammation in the colon, indicating its potential as a new therapeutic agent for UC.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Body weight gain of each study group. Normal group, untreated mice. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice provided with 5% DSS for 7 days. DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 10 mice (for normal, DSS, and DSS + DKT groups).
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Macroscopic appearance and (b) colon length of each study group. Normal group, untreated mice. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice provided with 5% DSS for 7 days. DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 10 mice (for normal, DSS, and DSS + DKT groups). (c) Colon relative weight (weight/length) of each study group.  ∗p < 0.05.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Hemoglobin concentration of each study group. Normal group, untreated mice. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice provided with 5% DSS for 7 days. DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 10 mice (for normal, DSS, and DSS + DKT groups).    ∗p < 0.05.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Histopathological analysis of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the distal colon. (a, b) Untreated normal mouse: no disturbance of the ductal structure and no thickening of the wall. (c, d) Mouse provided with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days: disturbance in the ductal structure and thickening of the wall (arrows). (e, f) Mouse administered a combination of 5% DSS and daikenchuto: disturbance in the ductal structure and thickening of the wall, but milder than that in mouse provided with DSS alone (arrows). Original magnification (a), (c), and (e): ×20; (b), (d), and (f): ×40.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Histological score of each study group. Normal group, untreated mice. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice provided with 5% DSS for 7 days. DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 10 mice (for normal, DSS, and DSS + DKT groups). ∗p < 0.05.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Anti-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokine levels of each study group. (a) Interleukin- (IL-) 10. (b) IL-1β. (c) Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α. Normal group, untreated mice. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice administered 5% DSS for 7 days. DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 10 mice (for normal, DSS, and DSS + DKT groups). ∗p < 0.05.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Survival time of each study group. 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) group, mice provided with 2% DSS. 2% DSS + daikenchuto (DKT) group, mice provided with DKT in addition to DSS. n = 9 mice (for 2% DSS and 2% DSS + DKT groups).
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