Safety Profile and Antiulcerogenic Activities of Cordia Vignei Hutch & Dalziel (Boraginaceae) Leaf Extract Against Chronic DSS-Induced Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice

Cordia vignei plant is used in folkloric medicine to treat numerous inflammatory disorders. The inflammatory bowel disease incidence rate is steadily increasing in developing countries and is mostly characterized by recurrent inflammation along with major problems. The current study aimed to establish the acute oral safety of Cordia vignei leaf extract and evaluated its antiulcerogenic activities in a DSS-induced colitis model in mice. The phytomedicinal efficacy of CVE (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o) on colitis was assessed by inducing 5% () dextran sodium sulfate [MW= 50 kD] in mice. Clinical parameters were studied, including body and organ weights, macroscopic and histological examinations, hematological and biochemical analyses, and antioxidant activity. We showed that Cordia vignei extract significantly improved body and colon weights restored hematological indicators (P<0.05), and reduced disease activity index scores (P<0.05). Additionally, Cordia vignei extract inhibited histoarchectural alterations in the colons and inhibited oxidative damage to the colon tissues (P<0.05). Furthermore, Cordia vignei extract was found to be acutely safe. We, therefore, conclude that Cordia vignei extract exhibited an ameliorative effect against dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis in mice.