The Effects of Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI Pharmacopuncture Therapy on the Chunchu (ST25) for Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice

Abstract

Background This research was performed to investigate the effects of Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI pharmacopuncture (PPA) therapy on intestinal disease in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods The subjects were divided into five groups : A control group, saline group, pharmacopuncture group PPA1 (0.2 ㎎/ 1 kg/ 40 ㎕), pharmacopuncture group PPA2 (0.5 ㎎/ 1 kg/ 40 ㎕), and pharmacopuncture group PPA 3(1 ㎎/ 1 kg/ 40 ㎕). The experimental model of colitis was induced by infection of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for eighteen days. After colitis was induced, PPA therapy was practiced on the Chunchu (ST25) once every two days for a total six times. Thereafter Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, damage to the colonic mucosa, body weight, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-23 and IL-17 were measured. Results The results were as follows. 1. DAI was significantly decreased in the PPA groups. 2. Colon length was significantly increased in the PPA groups. 3. Damage of colonic mucosa was observed less in the PPA groups. 4. Body weight was significantly increased in the saline group and the PPA groups. 5. The PPA2 group showed a significant decrease in the intensity of IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γand TNF-α levels and the mean of IL-23. 6. The PPA3 group showed a significant increase in the intensity of IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels. 7. No significant differences were shown in the mean of IL-17. Conclusions These results suggest that PPA therapy on Chunchu (ST25) can be used as an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

Keywords

• pharmacopuncture
• dextran sulfate sodium
• colitis
• Chunchu (ST25)
• cytokine
• Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI