Objective: To investigate the effect of total alkaloids from corptis root (TAL) on experimental ulcerative colitis (EUC)
of mice. Methods: The colitis model was established allowing the mice drinking 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) solution freely for 7 days, and during the same period, either salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP, 520 mg/kg) or TAL (150 mg/kg), and solvent (0.2 ml/10 mg wt) were given once a day, respectively. At the same time, normal mice drank distilled water freely and were given solvent (0.2 ml/10 mg wt). EUC was evaluated by disease
activity index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the expressions of NF-κB p65 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1) proteins. Results: DAI, MPO activity, MDA content and expressions of ICAM-1 and NF-κB in DSS-
induced mice were markedly increased, while SOD activity decreased (P < 0.01), compared with that of the healthy control. Treatment of SASP 520 mg/kg reversed the events above; TAL 150 mg/kg had the similar effects on SASP in DSS-induced mice. Conclusion: TAL has protective effects on DSS colitis. The mechanism possibly contributes to their antioxidant function and anti-inflammatory activity associated with inhibiting the NF-κB activation and the inflammatory cells infiltration.