Salvia miltiorrhiza Ameliorates Disease Progression in Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate Induced Colitis in Mice

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM, or Danshen) extract has been approved by China FDA for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases owing to its potent anti-inflammatory effects. Whether SM may be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains elusive. In the current study, Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate (DSS) induced colitis in mice was used as a model of IBD, and SM was given orally for 7 days. SM administration has significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score and weight lost and colon shortening in the DSS-induced colitis mice. The macrophage infiltration was significantly reduced in the SM treatment group. To explore the mechanisms, macrophage processor cell line Raw 264.7 was used to verify the anti-inflammatory effect of SM. SM treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation in RAW264.7 cells and significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory factors. The current study provided evidence that oral administration of SM ameliorates pathological deterioration of IBD in mice, and warrants future clinical application of SM for the management of IBD.