Ameliorative Effect of Alkaloidal Fraction of Leaves of Alstonia scholaris Against Acetic Acid Induced Colitis via Modulation of Oxido-nitrosative and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory, an idiopathic disorder of intestine with unknown etiology.Alstonia scholaris Linn., R.Br.(family Apocynaceae) shown to possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.Objective: To evaluate the effect of an alkaloidal fraction of leaves of Alstonia scholaris (AFEAS) against acetic acid induced IBD in laboratory rats. Materials and Methods:Colitis was induced in male Wistar rats (180-220 g) by intrarectal administration of acetic acid (2 mL, 4% (v/v)).Rats were either treated orally with AFEAS (20, 40 and 80 mg kgG 1 ) or distilled water (10 mg kgG 1 ) or prednisolone (2 mg kgG 1 ).Various biochemical, molecular and histological parameter were assessed.Results: Intrarectal administration of 4% acetic acid resulted in significant modulation (p<0.05) of serum alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, SOD, GSH, MDA and MPO content along with colonic NO, XO level and protein carbonyl content in the colonic tissue as well as in blood.The AFEAS (40 and 80 mg kgG 1 ) administration significantly (p<0.05)ameliorated these acetic acid induced alteration in serum and colonic biochemical parameters.The decreased level of leptin and increased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-" and IL-1$) after acetic acid administration were significantly inhibited by AFEAS (40 and 80 mg kgG 1 ) treatment.The AFEAS treatment reduced histological insult induced in the colon after intrarectal instillation of acetic acid.Conclusion: Treatment of AFEAS ameliorates acetic acid induced colitis by virtue of its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential via inhibition of production oxido-inflammatory mediator and pro-inflammatory cytokines.