Effect of Matricaria aurea (Loefl.) Shultz-Bip. Hydroalcoholic Extract on Acetic Acid-Induced Acute Colitis in Rats

Objective(s) Matricaria aurea is found abundant in Iran and has large similarities in constituents especially essential oils, flavones and flavonoides as well as traditional uses to the main species; Matricaria recutita L. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and spasmolytic properties of the main species suggest that this plant may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases so the present study was carried out. Materials and Methods Hydroalcoholic extract of plant with doses of ۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, ۸۰۰ mg/kg were administered orally (p.o.) for ۵ days and rectally (i.r.) (۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg/kg) at ۱۵ and ۲ hr before ulcer induction. To induce colitis, ۲ ml of acetic acid ۴% was instilled intra-colonically to separate groups of male Wistar rats (n= ۶). Normal saline (۲ ml), prednisolone (۴ mg/kg) and hydrocortisone acetate (۲۰ mg/kg) enema were administered to control and reference groups respectively. The tissue injures were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically. Results Greater doses of extract (۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg/kg) reduced colon weight/length ratio (P< ۰.۰۱) and the highest test dose (۸۰۰ mg/kg p.o. or i.r.) was effective to decrease tissue damage parameters including ulcer severity, area and index (P< ۰.۰۱) as well as inflammation severity and extent, crypt damage and total colitis index (P< ۰.۰۱) significantly. Conclusion It is concluded that Matricaria aurea extract was effective to protect against acute colitis in acetic acid model and this effect was more significant with the greater doses administered orally or rectally. Further studies are warranted to ascertain the mechanisms that are involved and the responsible active constituents.

Keywords:

Acetic acid , Experimental colitis , Matricaria aurea , Plant extract , Rats