Abstract: 【Objective】 The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the therapeutic effect of extracts of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mouse.【Method】 108 SPF-grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:Blank control (CON), model control (DSS), positive control (SET), and extracts of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus low (EPCF-L), medium (EPCF-M) and high dose (EPCF-H) groups, with 18 mice in each group.After the experiment started, all mice except those in CON group drank 3.0% DSS solution freely, while mice in CON group drank water normally without any special treatment, from day 8 onwards, mice in SET group were given sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets (100 mg/kg) by gavage, and mice in EPCF-L, EPCF-M and EPCF-H groups were given gavage with 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/kg extracts of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus respectively, and distilled water was given to mice in CON and DSS groups in the same way, once daily at 0.2 mL each, for 7 days.During the experiment, mice were weighed individually every day, the feces of mice were observed, the disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosal injury index (CMDI) and histopathological changes of colon were calculated, and the antioxidant indexes of mouse colon tissues were determined including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β mRNA expression levels in the colonic tissues of mice were measured.【Result】 Compared with CON group, the weight of mice in DSS group decreased significantly, and their feces did not form or even showed bloody stools. DAI score and CMDI score increased significantly (P<0.05).A large number of inflammatory cells were seen in the colon tissues, the intestinal mucosal structure was destroyed.The activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β gene were significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that the mouse ulcerative colitis model was successfully established.Compared with DSS group, there was a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration, mucosal congestion and haemorrhage in the colon tissue, DAI and CMDI scores were significantly reduced (P<0.05), activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased (P<0.05) and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β gene in SET, EPCF-M and EPCF-H groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 The therapeutic effect of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus extract on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice might be achieved by improving the antioxidant function of the body and reducing the production of inflammatory factors.

Key words: extracts of Physalis Calyx seu Fructus; sodium dextran sulfate; ulcerative colitis