Intest Res.  2021 Apr;19(2):194-205. 10.5217/ir.2020.00021.

Yarrow oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice model via regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways

• Mohamed ME
• Elsayed SA
• Madkor HR
• Eldien HMS
• Mohafez OM

• KMID: 2515478
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2020.00021

Abstract

Background/Aims
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with indefinite etiology; however, environmental, genetic, immune factors and microbial agents could be implicated in its pathogenesis. UC treatment is lifelong, therefore; the potential side effects and cost of the therapy are significant. Yarrow is a promising medicinal plant with the ability to treat many disorders, owing to its bioactive compounds especially the essential oil. The main aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic effect of the yarrow oil on colitis including the involved mechanism of action.
Methods
In 21-female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group, colitis model group, and oil-treated group. Groups 2 and 3 received 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 9 days, and concomitantly, only group 3 was given 100 mg/kg yarrow oil. Mice were examined for their body weight, stool consistency and bleeding, and the disease activity indexes were calculated.
Results
Oral administration of yarrow oil markedly repressed the severity of UC via the reduction of the inflammatory signs and restoring colon length. The oil was able to down-regulate nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), up-regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and enhance transforming growth factor-β expression. The oil normalized the tumor necrosis factor-α expression, restored the normal serum level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reduced the serum level of IL-6.
Conclusions
Yarrow oil mitigated UC symptoms and regulated the inflammatory cytokines secretion via regulation of NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways in the mice model, however, this recommendation requires further investigations using clinical studies to confirm the use of the oil on humans.

Keyword

Asteraceae; Inflammatory bowel diseases; NF-kappa B; PPAR gamma

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Effect of yarrow oil on disease activity index (DAI) score and the colon length in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. (A) The DAI score, represents the loss of body weight, soft stool or diarrhea in addition to the bleeding. (B) Colons length, representing the mean length of colons for each group±standard deviation. (C) Morphology of colon, representing bleeding, formed or bloody stools, appearance and length. aP<0.01, bP<0.001.

• 

  Fig. 2. Effect of yarrow oil on the expression pattern of the inflammatory cytokines and activation of the NF-κB signal pathway in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Fifty micrograms of colons homogenate was immunoblotted with antibodies specific for NF-κB (A), TNF-α (B), PPAR-γ (C), TGF-β (D) respectively and β-actin was used as a protein loading control. aP<0.05, bP<0.01, cP<0.001. NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; PPAR-γ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-β; NS, not significant.

• 

  Fig. 3. Effects of yarrow oil on the serum level of the inflammatory cytokines in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Serum samples were isolated from the collected blood and assayed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). (A) The serum level of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and (B) the serum level of IL-6. Data are expressed as mean of 7 mice in each group±standard deviation. aP<0.05, bP<0.01, cP<0.001.

• 

  Fig. 4. The effect of yarrow oil on the histopathological changes in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. (A) Control group, (B) DSS-induced colitis, (C) yarrow oil-treated group. The formalin fixed parts of the colon were impeded in paraffin and stained with H&E (×100). Representative sample from each group is shown. (D) Mean score of inflammatory infiltration. (E) Mean score of microscopic crypt destruction. aP<0.01, bP<0.001.

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