Tree of Heaven Extract Reduces Inflammation and Improves Colonic Tissue in Aacetic Acid-Induced Animal Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Authors
Sajjad Ghobakhlou
Mohammad Hosein Farzai
10.61186/ibj.25th-11th-IACRTIMSS
Abstract
Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. It has two primary subtypes: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). While both conditions involve tissue damage, their initial mechanisms and immune system dysregulation differ. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a crucial role in both UC and CD, contributing to the pathogenesis of these diseases. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the extract from the Ailanthus altissima plant (tree of heaven) in treating UC.

Methods and Materials: The extract was evaluated for its ferric-reducing capacity, total phenol, and total flavonoid content. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into six groups: a control group, a regular group, a positive control group receiving mesalazine (300 mg/kg), and three treatment groups receiving the A. altissima extract at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for seven days. All animals, except the standard group, received an infusion of 4% acetic acid into the large intestine. After 48 hours, the animals were euthanized.

Results: The results showed that the acetic acid infusion caused severe acute inflammation in the colonic tissue, significantly improved by the A. altissima extract at all examined doses in microscopic and macroscopic aspects. TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the mesalazine and 200 mg/kg A. altissima extract groups than in the control group.

Conclusion and Discussion: The study concluded that the extract of A. altissima demonstrated valuable therapeutic effects in treating UC, particularly at 200 mg/kg. The reduction in TNF-α levels, histological data, and macroscopic observations supported the efficacy of the extract. Future studies are recommended to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of this plant extract in treating UC.



Keywords
Acetic acid
Ailanthus
Colitis
Inflammatory bowel diseases