Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats
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Liliane Mireille Tchoumba Tchoumi
and
Gilbert Ateufack
Abstract
Objectives
Ulcerative colitis, with a complex and poorly understood aetiology, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. Current therapies present many side effects and lack efficiency. This study aimed to assess the healing properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the roots of Dracaena arborea on ulcerative colitis induced in rats.
Methods
Acetic acid (4 %) was injected (intrarectal) to induce colitis. Prednisolone (20 mg/kg), aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanolic (100 mg/kg) extracts were administered orally. Clinical parameters were measured through stool consistency, relative body mass, mass-to-length ratio, macroscopic alterations of the colon, and serum and haematological parameters. Oxidative stress markers (in both serum and tissue) and anti-inflammatory parameters were evaluated.
Results
The results showed that both extracts significantly reduced diarrhea severity, ulcer scores, and prevented the reduction in the colon mass/length ratio. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts significantly increased red blood cell count and haematocrit percentage, as well significantly reducing white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, and granulocyte counts. Regarding oxidative stress markers, in both serum and tissue, the extracts significantly reduced MDA concentrations while increasing GSH concentrations, SOD and catalase activities. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts also significantly reduced NO concentrations and MPO activity. Only the ethanolic extract significantly inhibited TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production. Additionally, both extracts exhibited reparative effects on intestinal epithelium by activating tissue regeneration mechanisms.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that D. arborea possessed anti-colitis effects in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.
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Research ethics: The experimental procedures have been approved by the local ethics committee and are in accordance with the guidelines for the study of pain in awake animals, published by the NIH Publication No. 85-23 “Principles of Animal Protection,” “Laboratory,” “Study of Pain, Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology”, which adopted the European Union guidelines on animal care and experimentation (EWC Council 86/609). For the donation of human blood samples, all processes of collecting blood were approved by an independent ethics committee, ICCBS, University of Karachi, No. ICCBS/IEC-008-BC-2015/Protocol/1.0.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: TTLM, MM and AG designed the work. TTLM, MM, YNW, TEG, DNSF, DTDM, TEC, EAPT and AG conducted the work and collected and analyzed the data. TTLM, MM, YNW and AG drafted the manuscript and revised it critically. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: Authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: Not applicable.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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