Effect of D-002 on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats at single and repeated doses

D-002 is a natural mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols purified fr om beeswax, with mild anti-inflammatory and effective antiulcer effects exp erimentally proved. Furthermore, it reduces leukotriene (LTB4) in the exuda te of carrageenan-induced pleurisy and has a protective effect on the pre-u lcerative phase of carrageenan-induced colonic ulceration in the guinea pig . This study was conducted to determine the effect of D-002 on acetic acid- induced colitis in rats at single and repeated doses. In a first series, D- 002 was orally administered at 25 and 50 mg kg(-1), 24 h before the inducti on of colitis, meanwhile, in a second series, it was administered 24 h afte r the induction of colitis. Two other series (III and IV) examined the prot ective and therapeutic effect of D-002 administered for 7 days at the same doses, before or after colitis induction. Significant reductions in wet wei ght, macroscopic injury, polymorphonuclear infiltration and wall thickness were observed in colonic mucosa of D-002-treated animals compared with cont rols in both protective and therapeutic alternatives. It is concluded that D-002 was effective to protect or prevent the damage associated to acetic a cid-induced colitis. (C) 2000 Academic Press.