Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of purslane on the acute injury caused by intra-colonic administration of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in rats. Method: Seventy-two male SD rats were separated into 6 groups randomly. Rat model of ulcerative colitis was established by intra-colonic administration of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). Purslane (2. 5, 5, 10 g·kg-1) and sulfasalazine(0. 5 g·kg-1) was administered by enemata, 3 days after TNBS instillation and daily during 10 days before killing the rats. Colons were removed for histological analysis and measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Result: Rats treated with purslane (5 and 10 g·kg-1) were significantly healthier than TNBS-alone rats, as shown by improved food intake and reduced diarrhea, corrected the disorders in morphology associated to lesions, significantly reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels. Conclusion: purslane exerts protective effect in experimental colitis, the effect seems to be related to relieving inflammatory reaction and repairing lesions.