Formulation, standardization, and evaluation of the anti-colitis activity of Qur-e Gol, a Persian polyherbal formulation in acetic acid-induced colitis

Abstract Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of IBD is worldwide but socioeconomic impacts of it on low- and middle-income countries are more destructive. Therefore, investigating the effects of inexpensive available traditional formulations on IBD is noticeable. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-ulcerative colitis activity of a traditional formulation, Qurs-e Gol, on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Damask rose, rumex, starch, gum Arabic, and gum tragacanth were separately ground, sifted, and then mixed with suitable excipients to formulate Qurs-e Gol tablet. Induction of colitis in male Wistar rats was done by intrarectal administration of 3% acetic acid. 24 hours after induction of colitis, the rats received Qurs-e Gol with the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/ kg by oral gavage and dexamethasone with 2 mg/kg by i.p. injection. Two another groups including sham and negative control (receiving 14-day oral normal saline) were also used. Treatment continued for 14 days and 24 hr after the last day, blood samples were taken from the heart to measure serum TNF-α. Animals were finally sacrificed to remove their colon for histopathologic studies. Results: Macroscopic evaluations showed that 400 and 800 mg/kg of Qurs-e Gol for 14 days attenuate inflammation and ulcers compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Microscopic analysis showed that these doses can reduce depth of lesions in colon (P < 0.001). anti- colitis effects of these doses were comparable with dexamethasone. The best suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α was observed at a dose of 800 mg/kg (P < 0.001) but both 200 and 400 mg/kg were also effective (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Qurs-e Gol has anti-inflammatory effects in ulcerative colitis and can be a good candidate for future animal and human studies.