OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of Baitouweng Decoction on dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice and explore its mechanism involving miR-19a.

METHODSForty female c57 mice were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups, namely the normal control group, model group (treated with 3.5% DSS solution), treatment group (treated with DSS+Baitouweng Decoction), and positive control group (treated with DSS+5-ASA). Ulcerative colitis was induced in the mice by feeding them with 3.5% DSS in drinking water, and the mice in the control group were given water only. The disease activity index (DAI) of the mice in each group was recorded daily. Seven days later, the mice were sacrificed for histological examination of the intestines using HE staining; the expression of miR-19a mRNA in the intestines was detected using RT-qPCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased DAI and histological scores, and administration of Baitouweng Decoction significantly lowered the DAI and histological scores of the DSS-treated mice. The expression of miR-19a was lowered following DSS treatment, and Baitouweng Decoction treatment caused an increased miR-19a expression in DSS-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONBaitouweng Decoction has therapeutic effects on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice, and this effect is probably mediated by enhancement of miR-19a expression in the intestines.