Abstract: AIM: To explore the effects of rheum tanguticum polysaccharides (RTP) on TNBS -induced colitis in mice and its probable mechanisms.METHODS: Mice colitis model was induced by 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal group, model group,RTP-100, 200 and 400 group.The macroscopical and histological changes of the colon were evaluated and the cytokines IL-8, IL-10, TNF-αand IL-4 produced by splenocyts were analyzed with ELISA.RESULTS: Compared with the model group, both symptoms and the lesions of colonic mucosa of RTP-200 and 400 groupwere slighter on ulcerative colitis induced by TNBS in mice.Furthermore, the expressions of TNF-αand IL-8 in colon tissue of mice with TNBS-induced colitis were higher and the IL-10 and IL-4 were lower than that of normal control(p<0.05).In RTP-400 group, the positive expressions of TNF-αand IL-8 were lower and IL-10 and IL-4 were higher than that of model group(p<0.01).CONCLUSION: RTphas significant effects on TNBS-induced colitis in mice, the mechanism of which may relate to its regulation on cytokines.

Key words: rheum tanguticum polysaccharides, ulcerative colitis, TNBS