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The effect of menthol on acute experimental colitis in rats
Masoumeh Ghasemi-Pirbaluti1, Ehsan Motaghi2, Homan Bozorgi3
1Department of Immunology, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abstract:
Menthol is an aromatic compound with high antiinflammatory activity. The purpose of the current research is to investigate the effectiveness of menthol on acetic acid induced acute colitis in rats. Animals were injected with menthol (20 and 50 and 80mg/kg, i.p.) 24h prior to induction of colitis for 3 consecutive days. Menthol at medium and higher doses similar to dexamethasone as a reference drug significantly reduced body weight loss, macroscopic damage score, ulcer area, colon weight, colon length and improved hematocrit in rats with colitis. The histopathological examination also confirmed anti-colitic effects of menthol. Menthol also reduced significantly the colonic levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in inflamed colons. Thus, the findings of the current study provide evidence that menthol may be beneficial in patients suffering from acute ulcerative colitis.
Insights
Menthol demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects, effectively reducing symptoms and colonic damage in acute colitis models. This research suggests menthol could be a beneficial treatment for ulcerative colitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Menthol is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Acute colitis is a significant health concern with limited treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of menthol in an acetic acid-induced acute colitis rat model.
- To assess menthol's impact on inflammatory markers and colonic tissue damage.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered varying doses of menthol (20, 50, 80 mg/kg) or dexamethasone prior to inducing colitis.
- Evaluated parameters included body weight changes, macroscopic damage, ulcer area, colon weight, colon length, and hematocrit.
- Histopathological analysis and measurement of colonic inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MPO) were performed.
Main Results:
- Menthol, particularly at medium and high doses, significantly mitigated body weight loss and reduced macroscopic damage scores.
- Menthol treatment led to a decrease in ulcer area, colon weight, and colon length, while improving hematocrit levels.
- Histopathological findings corroborated menthol's anti-colitic effects, with significant reductions in colonic TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MPO activity.
Conclusions:
- Menthol exhibits significant anti-colitic effects in an acute model, comparable to dexamethasone.
- Menthol effectively reduces inflammation and tissue damage in the colon.
- These findings suggest menthol holds potential as a therapeutic agent for acute ulcerative colitis.
