Therapeutic Effect of Syzygium aromaticum and Abelmoschus esculentus Mixture on Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats Through Its Effects on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Mediators and Oxidative Stress

Abstract Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by dysregulated local immune defense with a constant influx of leucocytes. Many factors can cause UC such as environmental factors and genetic factors. Objectives: Treat UC with a mixture of plants and assess the levels of interleukin (IL-8), IL-10, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment. Materials and Methods: This was done by drawing blood from rat with induced UC, divided into different groups, including a negative group (healthy rat) and a positive control group (rats with induced UC), along with three treatment concentrations (400, 600, and 800 mg/kg/day) from a plant mixture for UC treatment. Results: The total leukocyte count, IL-8, ROS, and MDA levels appeared to increase in the positive control group compared with all other groups, while IL-10 showed a significant decrease in the positive control compared with all groups. Histological findings of the positive control group appeared necrosis, thickening of the submucosal layer, hyperplasia of goblet cells, more progressive of fiber connective tissue, enlargement of colon wall, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Inflammation in the mucosa lead to disruption of the normal crypt architecture, with distortion, branching, and loss of structure, along with the presence of immune cells. Conversely, histological findings in the 400 mg/kg group showed normal colorectal histology with hyperactivity goblet cells, increased mucus production, thickening of the mucosal layer, and myenteric plexus. On the other hand, histological findings in the fourth group (600 and 800 mg/kg) revealed normal colorectal tissue with a chronic inflammatory response. Conclusions: The mixture of plants has a therapeutic effect on UC because it contains phenolic compounds that act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.