A study to evaluate the efficacy of holarrhena antidysenterica in acute experimental colitis in albino rats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal disease with no permanent cure.Holarrhena antidysenterica which has proven antinflammatory property can be tried in case of IBD.Therefore; a study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of holarrhena antidysenterica in dextran sulphate sodium induced colitis in albino rats. 48 albino rats were randomized to four different groups (n=12).Control Group A was administered no drug, Group B sulphasalazine and prednisolone, Group C holarrhena antidysenterica, Group D sulphasalazine, prednisolone and holarrhena antidysenterica. Colitis was induced with the help of dextran sulphate sodium dissolved in drinking water of rats. All the rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and various parameters were assessed. The results showed that the mean large intestinal macroscopic and microscopic examination scores as well as myeloperoxidase levels were comparatively higher in Group A as compared to Group B, C & D.This confirmed the induction of experimental colitis. No statistically significant difference was noted when mean scores and levels in the Group B, C & D were compared in between the groups. But when the same scores and levels in Group B, C & D were compared with Group A indivually statistically significant values were obtained. This study concluded that holarrhena antidysenterica induced remission in acute experimental colitis in albino rats. Therefore, it is recommended that a further clinical study be carried out.