Therapeutic Evaluation Punica granatum Peel Powder for the Ailment of Inflammatory Bowel Disorder in NCM460 Cell Line and in Albino Rats

<b>Background:</b> Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with the colon and rectum, often predisposing individuals to inflammatory bowel disease-related colorectal cancer (IBD-CRC). Current therapeutic options for UC, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, pose significant side effects. <i>Punica granatum</i> peel powder (PPPG), a traditional herbal remedy in Ayurveda medicine for colitis, exhibits promising therapeutic effects with a favorable safety profile. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of a modified PPPG formulation in UC treatment. <b>Methods:</b> Using NCM460 cells and an acetic acid-induced UC murine model, the efficacy of modified PPPG was evaluated. <b>Results:</b> Therapy with modified PPPG significantly improved UC-associated symptoms, such as improvements in body weight, colon length, and disease activity index, as validated by histological examination. Transcriptomic sequencing identified downregulation of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced inflammatory markers like p-NF-κB, IL-1β, and NLRP3 on PPPG therapy. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that modified PPPG holds promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for UC intervention, targeting key inflammatory pathways implicated in UC pathogenesis and potentially mitigating the risk of IBD-CRC.