Experimental evidence for an anti-inflammatory action of STW 5 in the lower gastrointestinal tract in vivo

Introduction: STW 5 (Iberogast), a fixed combination of nine herbal components, was previously shown to be clinically effective in gastrointestinal disorders, as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Following up on its potential of therapeutic usefulness, the present study was undertaken to explore in greater depth its anti-inflammatory activity and to throw some light on its mechanism of action. Methods: In an experimental model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), male rats were injected intra-colonically with trinitro benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Four days later, the animals were sacrificed, a…