Therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine combined with mesalazine on DSS-induced colitis in mice

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) combined with mesalazine on DSS-induced colitis in mice. Methods C57 BL /6 mice were used as research subjects and were given water containing dextran sulfate sodium( DSS) to establish the model of colitis. They were randomly divided into four groups,mice in model group,TCM group,mesalazine group,TCM combined mesalazine group( combined group)were given normal saline,TCM,mesalazine,TCM combined with mesalazine by gavage administration from the fourth day respectively. The mental state,defecate traits and changes of body weight were observed every day. The disease activity index( DAI) was calculated. All the mice were sacrificed on the 10 th day,and the inflammation degree of colon was assessed by HE dyeing as well as myeloperoxidase( M PO) activity assay. Results Colitis models of mice were established successfully. Compared with model group,DAI,M PO activity,microscopic inflammation score in treatment groups were improved significantly,and the levels in combined group were lower than those of mesalazine group. Conclusion The combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and mesalazine can improve not only the symptom score,but also the microscopic inflammation score in colitis mice induced by DSS.