Reem Ghanim Hussein1 
,
Rafid Mohammad Mohammad Hashim2,
Yahya Yahya Zake Fareed3
For correspondence:- Reem Hussein Email: reemghanem@uruk.edu.iq Tel:07703833508
Received: 6 June 2026 Accepted: 15 July 2026 Published: 31 July 2026
Citation: Hussein RG, Hashim RM, Fareed YZ. Colon-targeted doxycycline–procaine azo mutual prodrug attenuates acetic-acid–induced ulcerative colitis in mice via modulation of CRP, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-?. Trop J Pharm Res 2026; 25(7):917-922 doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v25i7.2
© 2026 The authors.
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Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of doxycycline-procaine (Dox-Proc) compared to Mesalazine, doxycycline, and procaine on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Methods: A total of 70 mice were equally randomized into 7 groups (n = 10). Ulcerative colitis was induced with intracolonic 5 % acetic acid. Group 1 was the control group, group 2 received acetic acid induction without treatment, group 3 received low-dose Dox-Proc (100 mg/kg), group 4 received high dose Dox-Proc (300 mg/kg), group 5 received Mesalazine (200 mg/kg), group 6 received Doxycycline (64.2 mg/kg) and group 7 received procaine (34.1 mg/kg) every day for seven days. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured following standard procedures. Results: Acetic-acid colitis significantly raised CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, and decreased IL-10 compared to control (p < 0.0001), which were normalized following administration of Dox-Proc. Doxycycline and procaine alone significantly elevated levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α (p < 0.0001. Conclusion: The Dox-Proc azo prodrug modulates the levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10, demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory effects in acetic-acid induced UC.
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