Baicalin Down‐regulates the Expression of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Effectively for Rats with Ulcerative Colitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether baicalin, a Chinese herbal extract, down‐regulates the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an inflammatory factor that regulates the function of macrophages (MΦ), in rats with trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)‐induced ulcerative colitis (UC). The results showed that baicalin simultaneously down‐regulated the expression of MIF, the quantity of MΦs and the amount of MΦ‐related cytokines, including macrophage chemotactic factor‐1 (MCP‐1, CCL2) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐3α (MIP‐3α, CCL20), in rats with UC. There was no statistical difference between baicailin and mesalazine in down‐regulating the expression of MIF. Our study demonstrated that baicalin, an inexpensive but effective monomer, could be a new and alternative pharmaceutical for UC. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.