抄録
The experiment was carried out with subcutaneous injections of
Methotrexate (MTX), a commonly used antimetabolite drug, is known to induce
intestinal inflam- mation. We investigated whether a hot-water extract of Prasiola
japonica Yatabe (PJ) can be used as an effective remedy
against MTX induced intestinal injury. A hot-water extract of PJ was
administered orally to mice with MTX-induced intestinal inflammation.
Experiments were carried out in which the mice were given PJ by gavage at an
initial dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight for 6 days. The mice were also
given a subcutaneous injection of MTX (7.0 mg/kg body wt/day) daily
throughout the 6-day experimental period. The shortening of the small
intestine and gastrointestinal mucosal ulceration induced by MTX were
attenuated following oral administration of the PJ extract. The numbers of
apoptotic cells and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-positive cells in the
intestinal mucosa of the PJ-treated mice were lower than those in the MTX-
treated mice. These results indicate that the extract of PJ could protect
against MTX- induced damage of the small intestine. Folic acid was found to
be present in the PJ extract at the concentration of about 2.5μg/mg, and may
be considered as having been responsible for the decrease in the severity of
the MTX-induced damage of the small intestine.
