• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1021-1034
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Gaejigayonggolmoryo-tang (GYT) on ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in mice. Methods: Colitis was induced by free drinking of 5% DSS in six-week-old male ICR mice. The experimental groups were the sample group, the control group, and the normal group. The sample group was treated with GYT for three days after being was given 5% DSS for five days. The control group was given water, instead of GYT, for three days after the five days of 5% DSS. The normal group was untreated (not given 5% DSS), for comparison purposes. Results: Cellular experiments showed that GYT inhibits the expression of the inflammatory enzymes COX-2 and iNOS, and the production of NO. Based on the primary cellular experiments, the effects of GYT on ulcerative colitis induced by DSS of mouse tissues were investigated. GYT reduced tissue damage and apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of the inflammatory enzymes $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, COX-2, and iNOS. In the cellular experiment, GYT was more effective in inhibiting the expression of COX-2 than in inhibiting the expression of iNOS. GYT was evidently effective in tissues in inhibiting the expression of COX-2. Conclusions: Based on the results here, GYT may have therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis induced by DSS. GYT is worthy of research and development as a COX-2 inhibitor and a potential drug for inflammatory bowel diseases from natural products. Further investigations for exact mechanisms will be needed.