KARANJIN AMELIORATE DSS INDUCED COLITIS IN C57BL/6 MICE

Background: Karanjin a furanoflavanoid from Pongamia pinnata (L.) Seeds, has gastroprotective, anti-arthritic properties rendering it a natural drug having prophylactic and therapeutic property. But, the effect of Karanjin on colitis till not known. Objectives: To evaluate the beneficial effect of karanjin for the treatment of experimental colitis. Method: Colitis were induced in the C57BL6 mice by oral administration of 2.5% solution of DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Karanjin (>98% pure) was administered in two different concentrations 100 and 200 mg/kg and 5-ASA (100 mg/kg) as reference for 7 consecutive days to the DSS induced colitic mice. On 8 day mice were sacrificed and degree of inflammation was assessed by Disease Activity Index (DAI), histology and biochemical estimation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) level were measured. Result: Karanjin significantly and dose dependently ameliorate the macroscopic damage, histological changes such as cellular infiltration, tissue necrosis, mucosal and submucosal damage, reduce the activity of MPO. Depressed MDA and NO level and help in restoring the level of CAT, SOD and GSH to normal when compare to the experimental colitic group. Discussion: we demonstrated for the first time that karanjin proposed marked protective effect on experimental colitis through its anti-oxidation and immunomodulation which ultimately reduce the production of inflammatory mediator produced by the immune cells. Conclusion: Result of the present study indicates that karanjin has potential to cure colitis induced by administration of DSS.