The possibility of using shogaol for treatment of ulcerative colitis

Objective(s): This study aimed to investigate the effect of Shogaol on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)- induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice compared to an immune-suppressant chemotherapeutic medicine, known as 6-thioguanine (6-TG). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six adult BALB/c mice were divided into six groups: group 1 (positive control): no DSS exposure and no treatment; group 2 (negative control): DSS exposure without treatment; group 3 (vehicle control): DSS exposure and olive oil treatment; group 4: DSS exposure and 0.3 mg/kg 6-TG treatment; group 5: DSS exposure and 20 mg/kg Shogaol treatment; and group 6: DSS exposure and 40 mg/kg Shogaol treatment. At day 16, the mice were euthanized and UC was evaluated according to colon length, histologically index score and expression scores of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).Results: The disease activity index (DAI) and histological index scores of mice treated with 40 mg/kg body weight (BW) Shogaol were approximately lower than the corresponding scores of mice treated with 6-TG. In addition, the rate of healing in the former mice was approximately 3 folds higher than that of the latter ones as indicated by the lack of EGFR expression in colonic glands and macrophages. Conclusion: These findings showed that the therapeutic effect of 40 mg/kg BW Shogaol could be better than 6-TG in the treatment of UC, and it may draw the attention regarding the priority of using this cheap plant-derived substance for treatment of the inflammatory bowel diseases because treatment with 6-TG is usually associated with adverse side effects.