Ethanolic Extract of Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum), Rich in Phenolic Compounds Mitigates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice via Antioxidation and Microbiota Regulation

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and current therapies are limited by adverse side effects. <i>Combretum micranthum</i> G. Don (kinkeliba), a medicinal plant traditionally used in West Africa, has been reported to possess pharmacological activities and a favorable safety profile. In this study, an ethanolic extract of <i>Combretum micranthum</i> (EECM) was characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS to identify its phenolic constituents. Acute colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using 3% DSS, while EECM (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered orally for seven days. Disease Activity Index was monitored daily, and colonic injuries were evaluated through macroscopic and histological analyses, as well as hematological and biochemical assessments. In vitro, EECM contained 293.54 mg/g of total phenolic compounds and showed strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Furthermore, the extract exhibited antibacterial activity against <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Salmonella enterica</i>, and <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> at various concentrations. In contrast, <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> were not affected at the tested concentrations. No antifungal activity was detected against the filamentous fungus <i>Aspergillus brasiliensis</i> and the yeasts <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, <i>Candida parapsilosis</i>, and <i>Candida albicans</i>. In vivo, EECM alleviated the clinical signs of colitis, reduced histological damage, and modulated hematological and biochemical parameters. Overall, EECM exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and may represent a promising natural candidate for IBD management. Further investigations into chronic experimental models are necessary to establish their therapeutic relevance.