Anti-inflammatory effect of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. hydroalcoholicextract on acetic acid- induced acute colitis in rats

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is an Iranian endangered endemic edible plant with enormous use in the middle region of Iran as food and spice especially yogurt seasoning, and as medicinal herb for anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular purposes. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic properties of kelussia suggest that it may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. In the present study, the effect of this herbal extract on a model of acute colitis was evaluated.  Different doses of hydroalcoholic extract of kelussia (125,250,500 mg/kg) were administered orally (p.o.) to the separate groups of male Wistar rats (n=6). It was started 4h before induction of colitis and continued daily for 3 consecutive days. Wet colon weight/ length ratio and tissue damage scores and area as well as indices of colitis and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluated for each specimen. Two lower doses of extract (125, 250 mg/kg) were effective to reduce all the indices of colitis and MPO activity in different assays. By increasing the dose (500mg/kg) the efficacy was declined suggesting a possible reverse dose related effect. It is concluded that Kelussia odoratissima has anti-inflammatory action in rat model of colitis but further detailed studies are recommended to identify the mechanisms are involved and the active constituents are responsible for these findings.