Objective: To investigate the effect of Kuijieling Decoction (KD) on gene expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2,4 in colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis( UC) rats.

Methods: 48 rats were divided into six groups as follows: normal control (NC) group, model control (MC) group, Kuijieling low dose (KLD) group, Kuijieling medium dose (KMD) group, Kuijieling high dose (KHD) group and SASP group. TLR2/4 gene expression in colonic mucosa was measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Relative gene expression of TLR2/4 in MC group were significantly higher than that in NC group (P < 0.01). Relative gene expression of TLR2 in KMD and KHD group was significantly lower than that in MC group (P < 0.05). Relative gene expression of TLR4 in KHD group was significantly lower than that in MC group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Up-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression can be seen in colonic mucosa of UC rats. KD can inhibit the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4. The inhibitory effects of KD on UC may be associated with the inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression.