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Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (2012)S962-S969

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Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

journal homepage:www.elsevier.com/locate/apjtb

Document heading

doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60344-X

2012 by the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. All rights reserved.

Effect of aqueous extract of Cucumis sativus Linn. fruit in ulcerative colitis in laboratory animals
Mithun Vishwanath K Patil1*, Amit D Kandhare2, Sucheta D Bhise1
1 2

Abhinav College of Pharmacy, Narhe, Pune - 411043, Maharashtra, India Department of Pharmacology, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune - 411038, Maharashtra, India

ARTICLE INFO
Article history: Received 6 June 2012 Received in revised from 5 July 2012 Accepted 7 August 2012 Available online 28 August 2012 Keywords: Acetic acid

ABSTRACT Objective: To elucidate the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of fruit of Cucumis sativus (C. sativus) (CS) in acetic acid induced colitis in wistar rats. Methods: The animals were administered with 2 mL acetic acid (4%) via intra rectal. The animals were divided into various treatment groups (n=6). Prednisolone was used as standard drug and C. sativus was administered at a dose of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. The control group of animals received 1 mL of vehicle (distilled water). Ulcer area, ulcer index, spleen weight, colon weight to length ratio, macroscopic score, hematological parameters, colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) and histological changes were recorded after the treatment regimen of 11 d. Results: Intrarectal instillation of acetic acid caused enhanced ulcer area, ulcer index, spleen weight, colon weight to length ratio, colonic MPO and hematological parameters. Pretreatment with C. sativus for 7 d exhibited significant effect in lowering of ulcer area, ulcer index as well as neutrophil infiltration at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg in acetic acid induced colitis. Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrates C. sativus is of potent therapeutic value in the amelioration of experimental colitis in laboratory animals by inhibiting the inflammatory mediator.

Inflammatory bowel disease Myeloperoxidase Ulcerative colitis

Cucumis sativus

1. Introduction
The term inflammatory bowel disease includes ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, recurrent disease characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation of colon[1,2]. Ulcerative colitis invariably involves rectum and may extend proximally in continues fashion to involve part or all of colon. Although etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown it appears that an abnormal response of the mucosal innate immune system to luminal bacteria may trigger inflammation which is perpetual by disregulation of cellular immunity[3-5]. Crohns and ulcerative colitis may be associated in 50% patient with number of extra intestinal manifestation including oral ulcers, oligo-articular or polyarticular non-deforming peripheral arthritis, spondilitis, sacroillitis, erythema, hepatitis, sclerosis[6,7]. G enetic modulation, infective agents, immunological disturbance, smoking, microorganism have been implicated
*Corresponding author: Mithun Vishwanath K Patil, Abhinav College of Pharmacy, Narhe, Pune - 411043, Maharashtra, India. Tel: +91-20-32540195, +919766616365 Fax: +91-20-24319097 E-mail: [email protected] Financial support: All India Council of Technical and Education (AICTE), India (Ref. No. PG/GATE-SCM/2004-2005/G-39, Dated: 11/02/2011)

to orchestrate mucosal inflammation, hemorrhage and development of strictures in the colon[8,9]. Acetic acid induced colitis exhibit increased oxidation and lipid peroxidation during initiation of colitis. It also associated with alterations in the mucosal antioxidant defenses in UC . I t is well accepted that ROS play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Increased ROS production resulting from respiratory burst of infiltrating phagocytic cells which causes and decreased antioxidant capacity is a major pathogenic mechanism in IBD[10]. Despite of massive research there are no specific therapies have been developed for this diseases[11,12]. A number of biological therapies are available in clinical testing that more narrowly target various components of immune system[13]. Biological agents are highly effective for patients with corticosteroids dependence or refractory disease and potentially may improve the natural history of disease. The chief lines of therapy are 5-aminosalisylic acid derivatives, sulfasulfapyridine ( SASP ) , cortico-steroids, immune modulating agent etc. But their adverse reactions during prolonged treatment and the high relapse rate limit their use[14]. Hence there is severe need to develop chief lines medication to treat IBD. Herbal drugs provide a faint ray of hope. Polyphenols, flavonoids have been shown to alleviate chronic inflammation in experimental model of IBD[15].

Mithun Vishwanath K Patil et al ./Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (2012)S962-S969

Cucumis sativus (C. sativus) have been evaluated for a wide spectrum of activity including diuretic, Antihyperglycemic, Antioxidant, Amylolytic, Anticancer and analgesic activities using various in-vitro and in-vivo models[16-22]. Hence, the objective of present investigation was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of C. sativus in acetic acid induced colitis model of IBD in laboratory animals. 2. Material and methods 2.1. Collection of plant material
The fruits of C. sativus L. were collected from rural areas of Pune district, Maharashtra in the month of December 2010. Authentication of Plant was carried out by P.G. Diwakar, Joint Director, Botanical Survey of India, Pune. The voucher specimen number was MIPCUSA1. The plant material cut into small pieces and was macerated

orthophosphate, potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ether, hydrochloric acid and conc. Sulphuric acid were purchased from S.D. Fine Chemicals, Mumbai, India. 2.6. Acute toxicity testing
Acute oral toxicity in swiss albino mice was performed according to OECD guidelines using AOT 425 software. Graded doses of the C. sativus were dissolved in distilled water were administered orally and the animals were observed for 2 wk following administration. Body weight, food consumption, fluid intake and psycho-motor activities were recorded daily.

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2.7. Dosages of C. sativus extract and standard drugs used

2.2. Preparation of extract

was decanted and filtered through cloth and then through filter paper to obtain a clear extract. Macerates were pooled and collected in trays and evaporated to dryness at 30-35 to obtain dried extract. The yield was found to be equal to 55 g (5.5%). Solution of C. sativus aqueous extract was prepared by using distilled water as vehicle[21]. 2.3. Preliminary phytochemical screening

6 L of water for about 48 h with occasional shaking. Macerate

The Freshly prepared aqueous solution of C. sativus in the three different dosages (100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) was administered to animals orally for 7 d. On 8th day, the disease was induced by acetic acid. The drug treatment was continued even after administration of acetic acid. Standard drug used for comparison was prednisolone. Prednisolone was not given as pretreatment. It was given on the day of acetic acid administration. Prednisolone was given in a dose of 2 mg/kg/day orally in rats as suspension containing 0.5% of sodium CMC[2].

2.8. Induction of colitis

The Preliminary phytochemical screening of the above extract of C. sativus L. was carried out according to the method described by Khandelwal et al[23] and Patil et al24]. Phytochemicals analysis of the extract was performed for the identification of phytochemicals like alkaloid, flavonoids, steroid & phenols etc.

2.4. Animals

Healthy adult male swiss albino mice (20-30 g) and male wistar rats (230-250 g) were obtained from the National Institute of Biological sciences, Pune (India). The animals were housed in groups of 6 in solid bottom polypropylene cages. They were maintained at (24 1) , with relative humidity of 45%-55% and 12:12 h dark/light cycle. The animals were acclimatized for a period of two weeks and were kept under pathogen free conditions. The animals had free access to standard pellet chow (Pranav Agro industries Ltd., Sangli, India) throughout the experimental protocol, with the exception of overnight fasting before induction of the ulcer. The animals were provided with filtered water. The pharmacology and acute toxicity protocols were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) (522/05/ac/ CPCSEA).

2.5. Drugs and chemicals

A cetic acid, anaesthetic ether, ethanol, formalin, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, O -dianisidine dihydrochloride, hydrogen peroxide, disodium hydrogen

Colonic inflammation was induced in fasted rats following the method of Mascolo et al[25]. The study comprised six different groups of six animals each as follows: Group I - Normal animals: received 1 mL of distilled water for 11 d. Group II - Control animals: received 2 mL of 4% acetic acid solution (once, intrarectally) and 1 mL of distilled water for 11 d. Group III - Drug treated animals: received 7 d pretreatment with C. sativus (100 mg/kg p.o.) and 2 mL of 4% acetic acid solution, intrarectally on 8 th day. D rug treatment was continued till 11th day. Group IV - Drug treated animals: received 7 d pretreatment with C. sativus (250 mg/kg p.o.) and 2 mL of 4% acetic acid solution, intrarectally on 8 th day. D rug treatment was continued till 11th day. Group V - Drug treated animals: received 7 d pretreatment with C. sativus (500 mg/kg p.o.) and 2 mL of 4% acetic acid solution, intrarectally on 8 th day. D rug treatment was continued till 11th day. G roup VI - P rednisolone treated animals: received Prednisolone (2 mg/kg, p.o., for 3 d) and acetic acid (2 mL of 4% solution, once, intrarectally). Prednisolone and acetic acid acetic acid treatment was started on the same day. On the 11th day the blood was withdraw by retroorbital puncture and then animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and colons were collected and the spleen from each animal was also weighed. Portions of colonic specimens were kept in 10% formalin for histopathological studies.

2.9. Evaluation of the disease

2.9.1. Determination of ulcer area and ulcer index T he E valuation of U lcer area and U lcer index was performed according to Dengiz et al[27] and Kandhare et al [28]. F or determination of ulcer area, each colon was incised and washed with normal saline and image was captured. The images were processed using image J software and adobe Photoshop to determine ulcer area. 2.9.2. Determination of hematological parameters H ematological parameters were determined using an automated haematological analyzer (Sysmex KX-21) with specific software for rat blood samples[29]. The parameters analyzed were white blood cell (WBC) number, red blood cell (RBC) number, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (HCT) and platelet count (PLT). 2.9.3. Biochemical assays Samples from the colon were stored immediately at -80 till analysis. Tissue samples were homogenized in 10 mmol Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.1) and the homogenate was used for the measurement of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) in colon tissue.

The disease induced in experimental animals was evaluated based on its macroscopic characteristics. Evaluation pattern for macroscopic characteristics, reported by Morris et al[26] was used after some modifications.

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All the results were expressed as mean S.E.M. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 software (GraphPad, San Diego, CA). Statistical comparisons were made between drug-treated groups and colitis control animals. Data of biochemical parameters were analyzed using one-way ANOVA; Dunnetts multiple range tests was applied for post hoc analysis. A value of P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

3. Results 3.1. Acute toxicity testing

Acute toxicity studies of the aqueous extract of C. sativus shows no signs and symptoms such as restlessness, respiratory distress, diarrhea, convulsions and coma and it was found safe up to 5 000 mg/kg.

3.2. Preliminary phytochemical screening

The aqueous extract of C. sativus L. fruit was screened for various chemical tests as per the reported methods and was found to contain Alkaloids, tannin, steroids, flavanoids, cardiac glycosides and carbohydrate.

2.9.4. Evaluation based on microscopic (histologic) characters Freshly excised colon of one animal from each group was washed with saline and preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution for histopathological studies. It processed for 12 h using isopropyl alcohol, xylene and paraffin embedded for light microscopic study. P araffin embedded tissue section cut at 5 m thickness were prepared and stained after deparaffination using hematoxylene and eosin stain to verify morphological assessment of colon damage. Photomicrographs were captured at a magnification of 40. 2.10. Data and statistical analysis

2.9.3.1. Determination of colonic MPO contents The colonic myeloperoxidase assay was assessed as a marker of neutrophil infiltration according to the method described by K rawisz et al [30] and R aygude et al [31] . Myeloperoxidase activity was defined as the quantity of enzyme degrading 1 mol of peroxide per min at 25 and was expressed in units per gram (U/g) of wet scrapings.

3.3. Acetic acid-induced colitis

I ntrarectal instillation of acetic acid ( 4 % ) caused inflammatory reaction in the colon. T he inflammation occured in rectum and distal colon portion. C. sativus treated group showed mild lesions, regeneration and inflammatory reaction. The prednisolone treated group showed suppressed inflammatory reaction.

3.3.1. Effect of C. sativus on colon weight In the Acetic acid control animals colon weight (2.62 0.09) g was increased significantly (P<0.001) as compared to Normal group (1.12 0.17) g. Pretreatment of C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d decrease the colon weight (1.40 0.13) g significantly (P<0.001) as compared to acetic acid control group (Table 1) .

Table 1. Effect of C. sativus on colon weight, colon width, colon weight to length ratio, spleen weight and macroscopic score of rat in acetic acid induced IBD.
Group Normal Acetic acid control Prednisolone (2 mg/kg) Colon weight (g)
1.12 0.17 2.62 0.09 250 mg/kg 2.08 0.06 100 mg/kg 2.30 0.10 1.27 0.13*** 0.55 0.04 1.55 0.10 1.45 0.07 1.25 0.09

3.3.2. Effect of C. sativus colon width The mean colon width of acetic acid control animals was found to be increased (1.55 0.10) mm significantly (P<0.001) as compared to normal group (0.55 0.04) mm. Pretreatment of C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d decreased the colon width (0.81 0.08) mm significantly (P<0.001) as compared to

Colon width (cm)

0.66 0.06*** 0.81 0.08***

0.141 0.022 0.300 0.022 0.261 0.044 0.232 0.017

Colon weight to length ratio

0.134 0.014*** 0.155 0.017**

1.13 0.10 2.07 0.06 1.87 0.06 1.65 0.10

Spleen weight (g)

1.28 0.15** 1.36 0.08**

0.00 0.0

Macroscopic score
2.80 0.37***

9.66 0.33 8.66 0.33

C. sativus

4.25 0.62*** Data are expressed as mean S.E.M. from five rats and analyze by One Way ANOVA followed by Dunnett s test. *P< 0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 as compared to acetic acid control group.

500 mg/kg 1.40 0.13***

7.00 0.57**

Mithun Vishwanath K Patil et al ./Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (2012)S962-S969

Table 2. Effect of C. sativus on ulcer area and ulcer index of rat in acetic acid induced IBD.
Parameter Ulcer area (mm ) Ulcer index
2

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C. sativus

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Normal

Acetic acid control

30.00 1.15 58.05 1.59

Prednisolone (2 mg/kg)
13.21 2.24*** 6.40 1.20***

23.00 2.08** 42.20 5.37**

100 mg/kg

23.00 2.08** 50.91 2.20*

250 mg/kg

12.25 0.85*** 26.34 1.50***

500 mg/kg

Data are expressed as mean S.E.M. from five rats and analyze by One Way ANOVA followed by Dunnetts test. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 as compared to acetic acid control group. Effect of C. sativus on hematological parameter of rat in acetic acid induced IBD. Parameter RBC ( 10 /L)
6

Table 3.

as compared to acetic acid control group.

Data are expressed as mean S.E.M. from five rats and analyze by One Way ANOVA followed by Dunnetts test. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001

HGB ( g /dL)

14.63 0.29

9.70 0.26

Normal

Acetic acid control

12.90 0.10 6.94 0.18

Prednisolone (2 mg/kg)
15.30 0.05** 9.05 0.12**

14.49 0.69*

7.02 0.57

100 mg/kg

14.35 0.35*

7.57 0.02

250 mg/kg

C. sativus

14.50 0.50*

8.88 0.00**

500 mg/kg

acetic acid control group (Table 1) .

(Table 1).
30

significant (P<0.01) as compared to acetic acid control group

Normal

AA Control

MPO (U/mg)

Normal

20

Pred (2 mg/kg)

CS (100 mg/kg) CS (250 mg/kg) CS (500 mg/kg)

10

Normal

AA Control

Pred(2 mg/kg)

CS(100 mg/kg)

CS(250 mg/kg)

Prednisolone (2 mg/kg)

C. sativus (100 mg/kg)

C. sativus (250 mg/kg)

3.3.4. Effect of C. sativus on spleen weight In the present study, the rat with acetic acid induced colitis exhibited splenic enlargement (2.07 0.06) g as compared with Normal (1.13 0.10) g, (P<0.001). Pretreatment of C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d inhibiting spleen enlargement ( 1 . 36 0 . 08 ) g was found to be significant ( P < 0 . 01 ) as compared to acetic acid control group (Table 1).

Figure 2. Effect of C. sativus on colonic MPO concentrations of rats in acetic acid induced IBD. Data are expressed as mean S.E.M. from five rats and analyze by One Way ANOVA followed by Dunnetts test. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 as compared to acetic acid control group.

Treatment

3.3.3. Effect of C. sativus on colon weight to length ratio The ratio of colon weight/length was found to be increased (0.300 0.022) significantly (P<0.001) in acetic acid control group as compared to normal group ( 0 . 1411 0 . 022 ) . Pretreatment of C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.), for 7 d decreased the colon weight/length ratio (0.155 0.017) was found to be

Figure 1. Morphological representation of colon treated with acetic acid, Prednisolone and C. sativus.

C. sativus (500 mg/kg)

3.3.5. Effect of C. sativus macroscopic scores The colons of the rats were examined macroscopically for signs of hemorrhage and ulceration by an independent observer, in a blinded fashion, using a previously established scoring system 21. The mean macroscopic score of acetic acid control group (9.66 0.33) was found to be significantly (P<0.001) increased as compared to normal group. Pretreatment of C. sativus (250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, p.o.) had decreased macroscopic score of colon (7.00 0.57 and 4.25 0.62 resp.) significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.001 resp.) as compared to acetic acid control group and reduce the inflammation and ulceration of colon. (Figure 1 & Table 1) 3.3.6. Effect of C. sativus on ulcer area

CS(500 mg/kg)

Acetic acid control

Rectal administration of 6% acetic acid produced ulcers of colon in acetic acid control and all drug treated animals. The mean ulcer area of acetic acid control group was (30.00 2 1.15) mm showed high ulcerogenic effect of acetic acid. Pretreatment of C. sativus (100, 250, 500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d decreased the ulcer area of colon (23.00 2.08) mm2, (23.00 2 2 2.08) mm , (12.25 0. 85) mm resp. significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.001 resp.) (Table 2).

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3.3.7. Effect of C. sativus on ulcer index The mean ulcer index of acetic acid control group was (58.05 1.59) showed high ulcerogenic effect of acetic acid. Pretreatment of C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d decreased the ulcer index of colon (26.34 1.50) significantly (P<0.001). C. sativus (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was more effective in reducing ulcer index of colon than C. sativus (250 mg/kg, p.o.) (Table 2).

3.3.8. Effect of C. sativus on hematology T able 3 summarizes the E ffect of C. sativus on hematological parameter of acetic acid control and experimental animals. The acetic acid treated rats showed a significant decrease in the hematological parameters RBC count, Hb compared to normal rats (9.70 0.26 and 14.63 0.29 resp.). These reductions were significantly attenuated in the C. sativus pretreated group (8.88 0.00 and 14.50 0.50). No effect was observed in the rest of the hematological parameters analyzed. 3.3.9. Effect of C. sativus on colonic MPO concentrations The colitis caused by acetic acid was associated with an increase in MPO activity (22.74 1.26 U/mg). In the groups pre-treated with C. sativus (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 d, the MPO activity of colonic mucosal scrapings were significantly decreased (17.26 0.88 and 11.68 1.25 U/mg resp.) (P<0.01, P<0.001), as compared with acetic acid control

Figure 3. Photomicrographs of sections of colons from rats stained with H&E. Colon microscopic image of (A) Normal rat with intact epithelial (orange arrow) and mucosal layer (green arrow); (B) Acetic acid induced colitis rat with extensive damage including edema in submucosa (red arrow) and cellular infiltration (white arrow), necrosis (yellow arrow) and ulceration; (C) Prednisolone (2 mg/kg, p.o.) treated rat with infiltration (white arrow), necrosis (yellow arrow) and hemorrhages (red arrow); (D) C. sativus (500 mg/ kg p.o.) 7 d pretreated rat with edema in submucosa (white arrow), cellular infiltration (yellow arrow) and hemorrhages (red arrow). Images (40 magnification) are typical and representative of each study group.

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3.3.10. Histopathological results We examined the H & E stained sections of ulcerated areas of the colons of the rats for signs of colitis. The histopathological features of untreated animals included transmural necrosis, edema and diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration in the mucosa, desquamated areas and loss of the epithelium, hyperemia and Goblet cell hyperplasia. An infiltrate consisted of mixed inflammatory cells was observed (Figure 3B). The polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration was found in affected tissues. Pretreatment of rats with C. sativus (500 mg/kg, p.o.) (Figure 3D) or treatment with prednisolone (Figure 3C) significantly attenuated the extent and severity of the histological signs of cell damage. In case of normal rats colon there were no inflammatory cells in the lamina propria and the epithelium remained intact (Figure 3A). 4. Discussion
Acetic acid induced colitis in laboratory rats has been used to screen various drugs with proposed disease modifying property[32-37]. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic relapsing conditions characterized by up-regulated pro inflammatory mediators and dysregulated immune responses resulting in tissue damage[38]. The genetics, immunology and environment are the multiple etiologic theories which are related with IBD. In the present investigation, the aqueous extract of C. sativus L. selected for screening against experimentally induce inflammatory bowel disease. The intestinal mucosa in IBD is characterized by ongoing inflammation that results from activation of resident immune cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells from the circulation[39,40]. In the present investigation acetic acid was used to induce colonic lesions. The acetic acid causes massive localized erosion of the colonic mucosa leading to sever localized inflammation and haemorrhages. Various parameters such as colonic weight, colonic length, colonic width, C olon weight/length ratio, macroscopic score, ulcer index, body weight, rectal bleeding, stool consistency and spleen weight were recorded in this animal model. Colonic weight, width and weight/length ratio is considered an index for local inflammation along with the other parameters of edema and wall thickening[41,42]. Colons were opened longitudinally and macroscopic damage score was given to each specimen. The results suggest that colon weight, width and weight/length ratio was found to be significantly increased in acetic acid control group as compared to normal group. The elevation in the colon weight and colon weight to length ratio was inhibited by C. sativus depicting its healing property. Spleen is the indispensible part of immune system and reticuloendothelial system and has been found to be atrophied in chronic colitis[43]. The reduction in the splenic enlargement by the C. sativus provides an innuendo to the ability of C. sativus to modulate the immune system. The gross morphological lesions characterised by ulcer and necrotic area of various sizes[44], were healed depicting protection of microflora from the corrosive effect of acetic acid by C. sativus. Ulcer area and ulcer index were

group (Figure 2).

quantitatively determined and reflect the protective action of C. sativus. C linical manifestation of IBD includes exacerbated hematological imbalance leading to unexplained diarrhoea and Malena. This feature was reversed in C. sativus treated animals showing its therapeutic potential. Hematology provides an insight into the disease state of colitis. The various components of blood were disproportionately altered[45-47]. In the vehicle treated group where as their ratios were unchanged in C. sativus treated animals. I ntrarectal administration of acetic acid leads to protonation and migration of acetic acid molecule in to colonic microflora after internalization to produce protons leading to epithelial denudation[48]. This process instigates infiltration of neutrophils into tissue. The surge of neutrophil infiltration into tissue is a direct evidence of pathogenecity. T he level of MPO is a measure a degree of neutrophil infiltration[49-55]. The free radical contributes to initiate and propagate a vicious cycle. C. sativus restores the elevated level of MPO. A lkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, polyphenols have been proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunimodulatory active principles [56,57] . T hese phytoconstituents of C. sativus may have synergistically contributed to the attenuation of ulcerative colitis. F rom the results it could be deduced that C. sativus possesses potent activity against various pathological changes caused by administration of acetic acid. C. sativus was found to be effective in both post treatment and pretreatment given in acetic acid models. It could be hypothesized that the drug may form a layer over the colonic mucosa and also reduce localize inflammatory processes. The drug possesses free radical scavenging profile[16,17]. Hence, it was able to reverse the localized inflammatory response and heal the hemorrhagic lesions which were caused by the administration of acetic acid. The results provide an idea to the probable mechanism of action of the drug. However, further studies need to be carried out to enables to zero upon a full proof mechanism of action of C. sativus L. Conflict of interest statement
We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Acknowledgements
T he authors would like to acknowledge P rof. R . D . P atankar, P rincipal, A bhinav C ollege of P harmacy and D r. S . L . B odhankar, P rofessor and H ead, D epartment of P harmacology, P oona C ollege of P harmacy, B harati V idyapeeth D eemed U niversity, P une, I ndia for their

constant support and valuable suggestions for the research work. We are also thankful to Dr. Vasant Narke, Director, TOXINDIA, Pune, India for providing necessary facilities to carry out the study. We are also thankful to the All India Council of Technical and Education (AICTE), India (Ref. No. PG/GATE-SCM/2004-2005/G-39, Dated: 11/02/2011) for financial support by awarding GATE Scholarship to one of the author Mr. Kandhare Amit for the research work.

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