The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inlfammatory effects of glycyrrhiza glabra Linne extract on ulcerative colitis induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium in mice. The experimental animals were divided into six groups: control(normal), DSS-induced colitis(control), 1㎎/㎏, 10㎎/㎏, and 100㎎/㎏ of glycyrrhiza glabra Linne extract, and 150㎎/㎏5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA)(positive control). We evaluated the pathological disease activity index(DAI), change in weight, colon mucosa damage and myeloperoxidase(MPO) in colon mucosa. Treatment with 10㎎/㎏ and 100㎎/㎏ of glycyrrhiza glabra Linne extract led to significant loss of body weight, the decrease of MPO activity and clinical symptoms such as DAI and histological change. In particular, 100㎎/㎏ Glycyrrhiza glabra Linne extract led to markedlygreater improvement than 150㎎/㎏ 5-ASA treatment. These results suggest that glycyrrhiza glabra mediated anti-inflammatory action on colorectal sites may be a useful therapeutic approach to ulcerative colitis.

Paeoniae Radix has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including hepatic disease. However, the inhibitory effect of Paeoniae Radix on intestinal inflammation has not been fully understood yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Paeoniae Radix on colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice. To investigate the protective effects of Paeoniae Radix, the colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% dextran sulfate sodium for 7 days. Mice were randomized into groups receiving Paeoniae Radix (100 ㎎/㎏), sulfasalazine (150 ㎎/㎏) as a positive control, or water as a negative control. We evaluated the effects of Paeoniae Radix on clinical signs induced by dextran sulfate sodium, measuring weight loss, colon length, and disease activity index. Additionally, to find a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of Paeoniae Radix, we evaluated the effects of Paeoniae Radix on the interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels in colitis tissue. The results indicated that mice treated with dextran sulfate sodium showed measurable clinical signs, including weight loss and reduced colon length. However, Paeoniae Radix treatment significantly improved the weight loss and disease activity index as clinical symptoms. Moreover, Paeoniae Radix inhibited the interleukin-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression levels in colon tissues treated with dextran sulfate sodium. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that Paeoniae Radix may be useful for treating intestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis.

The association of colorectal cancer with ulcerative colitis (UC) is well-recognized. However, not much is known regarding the increased risk of extra-intestinal malignancies with UC. Several studies have revealed that patients with UC are at in-creased risk of hepatobiliary cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and myeloid leukemia. A 41-year-old man was diagnosed with UC in 1993 and had three relapses over the next three years. Six months after the fourth remission, he developed pan-cytopenia and was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). He achieved complete remissions of APL through chemotherapies, and, since then, no recurrences of APL and UC were observed.