Formulation, Standardization, and Evaluation of the Anti-Colitis Activity of Qurs-e Gol, a Persian Polyherbal Formulation in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a long-life disease with increasing global incidence, especially in children. In addition to the economic and social costs imposed by this disease, the progression of the disease over time can also increase the risk of developing colon cancer. Recent studies have shown the positive effects of natural products, especially herbal medicines, in controlling the signs and symptoms of IBD. This study explored the anticolitic effects of Qurs-e Gol, a traditional polyherbal formulation in Persian Medicine, in male Wistar rats suffering from colitis induced by acetic acid. Rosa damascena Mill. (Damask rose), Rumex conglomeratus Murray (clustered dock), starch, Senegalia senegal L., Britton gum (gum Arabic), and Astragalus L. subgenus. Tragacanth gum (gum Tragacanth) was separately ground, sifted, and then mixed with suitable excipients to formulate Qurs-e Gol tablets. To induce colitis, animals were administered 4% acetic acid intrarectally. The 14-day experiment involved six groups of rats, including a sham group that received normal saline; a second group that received normal saline postinduction; a third group that received dexamethasone postinduction; and three treatment groups that received Qurs-e Gol at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg for 14 days. Macroscopic evaluation revealed that, compared with the control, Qurs-e Gol at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg significantly reduced inflammation and ulcers (p