Protective Effects of Silymarin on Acetic Acid - Induced Colitis in Rats

Background and Ântioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds can be effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible useful effects of Silymarin on the reduction of colonic damage and inflammation in experimental acute colitis induced by intracolonic administration of acetic acid. 50 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10): control group, colitis group, colitis group treated with 50 mg/kg Silymarin, colitis group treated with 100 mg/kg Silymarin and colitis group treated with 500 mg/kg Sulfasalazine. Ëxperimental colitis was induced with intrarectal administration of 1 ml acetic acid (4%). Rats were fed Sylimarin for 14 days before and 2 days after the induction of colitis. Two days after the induction of colitis the mice were sacrificed and macroscopic microscopic colon damages were studied. Âdministration of acetic acid induced severe macroscopic and microscopic damages and inflammation in mucosal tissue. Tissue edema, inflammation, microscopic and macroscopic damages were reduced by Sulfasalazine. Silymarin at both 50 and 100 mg/kg doses reduced macroscopic damages. Silymarin administration at 100 mg/kg ameliorated microscopic damages and tissue inflammation. However, administration of 50 mg/kg silymarin had no significant effects on crypt damage and inflammation.Çonclusion: These results propose that Silymarin could be beneficial in reducing damages caused by ulcerative colitis.