October 2014 Vol. 2 No. 10

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Original Research Article

Curcuma longa extract suppresses inflammation in mice with DSS-induced acute colitis

Tung Bui Thanh*, Hai Nguyen Thanh, Huong Le-Thi-Thu and Huong Duong Thi Ly
 

School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Ha Noi, Vietnam

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: tungasia82@yahoo.es; Tel: +84-4-85876172; Fax: +84-0437450188

Accepted October 23, 2014

Abstract

The etiology and pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a multifactorial disorder, remain poorly understood. Curcuma longa extract has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity in the literature. Here, we examined the effect of C. longa extract on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis over a period of 7 days. The extract (150 mg/kg/b.w.) was mixed with the diet of the mice. C. longa significantly reduced the Disease Activity Index and myeloperoxidase activity. The extract also suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, INF-γ, TNF-α and increased the level of IL-10. Additionally, the protein expression levels of COX-2 and iNOS were reduced by C. longa extract. Our results suggest that C. longa extract exerts beneficial effects on experimental colitis; therefore, we propose that this extract may have therapeutic implications for ulcerative colitis.

Keywords: Curcuma longa extract, Colitis, DSS, Inflammation, Mice