The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Psoralea corylifolia on Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium in Mice

Objectives: This study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Psoralea corylifolia water extract (PE) on ulcerative colitis which was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into 3 groups. The control group (Ctrl) was not induced ulcerative colitis. The pathological group (CE) was induced the colitis. The experimental group (PT) was administered PE after inducing the colitis. The effects of the PE on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by morphological change in the colon tissue and cells, substance P production, activity of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production, and anti-oxidative activity. Results: In the PT group, PE alleviated hemorrhagic erosion in colon mucosa and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lamina propria mucosae. In the colon of the PT group, COX-2 production was inhibited via regulating the activity of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. PE also had an anti-oxidative effect via activating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Conclusions: In this study, we found the utility of treatment with PE and the potential of developing a medicine for ulcerative colitis by applying our results. Further investigations for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PE may be needed.