Publications

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic condition of the intestine characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response. Current biologic treatments developed to treat IBD are expensive and associated with significant side effects; thus, alternative approaches are required. Recently, herbal concoctions have emerged as promising intervention. This study investigates the protective effects of Salvia fruticosa (SF) against acetic acid-induced colitis in mice, a model of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mice were divided into four groups (n=3). IBD was induced with acetic acid (6%). SF was administered by gavage at 1.5ug/kg mimicking folk medicine. SF treatment was given for 2, 4 & 6 days. After treatment, colons were collected for colonic biochemical markers, and histopathological evaluation. SF treatment induced enhancement in the colon’s structure and decreased ulcerations and inflammation. It significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-17 by 2.1-fold and 0.9-fold respectively at day2 and 6 and IL-6 by 2.8-fold at day 2 & 1.7-fold at day 6. Also, pro-inflammatory cytokine INF-γ showed a significant 22-fold decrease at day2 in SF-treated colitic group. Moreover, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased showing the anti-oxidant property of the extract. Anti-oxidant Glutathione (GSH) level and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, remained at normal levels while an increase by 0.9-fold at day 2 and 0.5-fold at day 6 in anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β in healthy SF-treated groups was significant. Hence, Salvia fruticosa exerts an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects against IBD as well as it help healing colon ulcers and maintain its architecture.