Effect of shilajit on acetic acid induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Abstract

One of the chronic conditions of intestines is Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).The etiology of IBD is unknown but involves multiple immune, genetic and environmental factors. Mucosal damage in IBD is mainly due to oxidative stress. The main goal is to study the effects of shilajit extract on the ulcerative colitis induced by intrarectal acetic acid administration (2ml of 4% v/v) in Wistar rats. Study comprised of 6 groups (n=6), normal vehicle control, acetic acid induced (2ml of 4% v/v, on eighth day), shilajit alone 50 mg/kg b.w, shilajit treated groups (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o) and sulfasalazine treated (100 mg/kg, p.o) groups. Drug treatment continued for 11 days and on 12th day scarification was done. The mucosal injury was assessed by macroscopic scoring, biochemical (LDH, MPO, GSH, LPO) tests were performed. Pre-treatment with shilajit showed a decrease in macroscopic scores, LDH, MPO, LPO and elevation levels of GSH when compared to acetic acid group. The present study says that, the protective effect of shilajit in ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid might be attributed to its neutralising effect on oxygen derived free radicals and may be more useful for patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.