Protective Effect of a Formulation Containing Pistacia Atlantica Oleo-Gum-Resin and Honey on Experimental Model of Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats Publisher



Gharazi P¹ ; Momtaz S^{2, 3, 4} ; Rezaei Z¹ ; Rahimifard M³ ; Baeeri M³ ; Abdollahi A⁵ ; Abdollahi M³ ; Zare K⁶ ; Farzaei MH^{7, 8} ; Abdolghaffari AH^{1, 2, 3, 4}
Source: Research Journal of Pharmacognosy Published:2021

Abstract

Background and objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. In Iranian traditional medicine, the oleo-gum-resin of the genus Pistacia is recommended for treatment of various diseases including gastrointestinal disorders. The present study investigated the therapeutic action of a combination of Pistacia atlantica subspecies kurdica oleo-gum-resin and honey in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Pistacia atlantica oleo-gum-resin was mixed with honey. The mixture was suspended in distilled water. Following induction of colitis with 4% acetic acid in all animals, except in sham group, the mixture was orally administered for two consecutive days at the concentrations of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg. Other groups included the control, sham and a standard group (dexamethasone). Microscopic and histopathologic examinations were conducted in inflamed colonic tissue. The inflammatory biomarkers of colitis including interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the gene expression level of toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4) were assessed. Results: Pistacia atlantica oleo-gum-resin+ honey induced significant progress in macroscopic and microscopic scores. Colonic levels of MPO, IL-6, and TNF-α significantly declined in rats treated with the mixture; while significant decrease in mucosal gene expression of TLR-4 and significant improvement of colitis were observed. Pistacia atlantica oleo-gum-resin (400 mg/kg) + honey (400 mg/kg) reduced inflammation of the bowel and colonic ulcer severity shown by downregulation of inflammation cytokines, reduction of neutrophil infiltration, and suppression of TLR-4 expression. Conclusion: The combination might be a promising supplement for treatment of inflammatory disorders. © 2021, Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy. All rights reserved.