Ethanolic extract of <i>Momordica charantia</i> L. fruits ameloriates TNBS and AA induced colitis in rats: a histological and electron microscopic study

The anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract of <i>Momordica charantia</i> in two different chemically induced inflammatory bowel disease models, which are frequently used in experimental studies, was investigated. For this purpose, IBD models were created with acetic acid (AA) and 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats and 300 mg/kg <i>M.charantia</i> extract was given by oral gavage for 10 days. In the animal experiment phase, a total of 42 animals in six groups were arranged so that two different experimental models could be studied simultaneously. Colon tissues were examined at light and electron microscopy levels. In the microscopic examination, areas of inflammation extending to the muscularis externa were observed in the macroscopically severely damaged areas in both IBD model groups, and epithelial damage, mucosal inflammation, and crypt abscess were observed in the macroscopically less damaged areas. Microscopic large intestine damage was significantly reduced in <i>M.charantia</i> administered groups compared to disease models. TNF-α and IL-1β expression, which was determined to be increased in the AA and TNBS groups immunohistochemically, was observed to decrease in the treatment groups. The surface epithelium was evaluated by electron microscopic observations. This study demonstrates the positive effect of <i>M.charantia</i> ethanol extract on colon histopathology in two different IBD models and highlights the importance of considering inflammation-related cell populations in the treatment of this disease.