Salvia miltiorrhiza increases the expression of transcription factor Foxp3 in experimental murine colitis

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is mainly used for the treatment of coronary heart disease in China, but previous studies demonstrated that it also shows anti‑inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an injection of SM powder on the expression of transcription factor Foxp3 (Foxp3) in experimental colitis in mice. Mice were grouped and treated with SM powder for injection at the time of colonic instillation of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Expression studies were performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis and histological studies were performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Myeloperoxidase activity was also tested for the evaluation of colitis. In the treated groups, the expression of Foxp3 mRNA and protein in the spleen were increased, the inflamed colonic lesions were relieved and the myeloperoxidase activity in the colon decreased significantly. Thus, it was demonstrated that SM exhibited its anti‑inflammatory by promoting Foxp3 expression. SM may be effective for the treatment of inflammatory disease, particularly for inflammatory bowel disease.