Ameliorating effects of Acacia arabica and Ocimum basilicum on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model through mitigation of inflammation and oxidative stress

Mohammad Abbas Bejeshk; Amir Hashem Aminizadeh; Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh; Fahimeh Rostamabadi; Fatemeh Bagheri; Mohammad Khaksari; Maryam Azimi

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22355

Ameliorating effects of Acacia arabica and Ocimum basilicum on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model through mitigation of inflammation and oxidative stress

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 14;9(11):e22355. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22355. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Mohammad Abbas Bejeshk^{1

2}, Amir Hashem Aminizadeh³, Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh², Fahimeh Rostamabadi⁴, Fatemeh Bagheri^{5

6}, Mohammad Khaksari^{1

2}, Maryam Azimi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
² Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
³ Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
⁴ Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran.
⁵ Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Pathology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman, Iran.
⁶ Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Kerman, Iran.
⁷ Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum. The disease is characterized by oxidative stress and severe inflammation. Research has shown the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects induced by consuming the Acacia arabia and Ocimum basilicum. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment with O. basilicum together with A. arabica on healing, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the course of experimental colitis in rats.

Methods: A total number of 50 male rats were selected and randomly assigned to five groups of 10 rats each. Colitis was induced in rats by enemas with a 4 % acetic acid solution. Four days after the colitis induction, the rats were orally treated for the next 4 days with saline or a combination of A. arabica and O. basilicum (1000 mg/kg) or sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg).

Results: Acetic acid-induced colitis increased the colon's macroscopic and histopathological damage scores; increased colon levels of MDA (Malondialdehyde), MPO (Myeloperoxidase), TNF-α (Tissue necrosis factor α), IL6 (Interleukin 6), and IL17 (Interleukin 17); and decreased SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), GPx (Glutathione Peroxidase), and IL10 (Interleukin 10) levels in the treated rats compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Overall, a combination of A. arabica and O. basilicum reduced macroscopic and histopathological damage scores (P < 0.01) of the colon, and MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL6 (P < 0.001), and IL17 (P < 0.01) levels of the colon. Furthermore, it increased SOD, GPx, and IL10 levels compared to the colitis group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: A. arabica and O. basilicum have improving effects on UC by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Keywords: Acacia arabica; Acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis inflammation; Basil seed; Gum Arabic; Ocimum basilicum; Stress oxidative.