The effect of Pomegranate juice, Date palm and Fig fruit in treatment and prevention of experimental acute colitis model on rat: Immunopathogenesis aspect

Abstract

"Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the chronic inflammation of digestive tract. IBD primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Pathogenesis and etiology of IBD are still uncertain. The proinflammatory cytokines have a central role in the modulation of the intestinal immune system. In inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD) pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines are elevated in mucosal and systemic concentrations. Last decade researches showed that cytokines can be a good therapeutic target in IBD patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) exhibit a key role in the inflammatory process. Pretreatment and treatment effects of some modulators and inhibitors of these mediators which emphasize on different aspects of experimental colitis models mimicking IBD in human. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of pomegranate, date and fig fruits in daily regimen in experimental acute colitis model on rat. 48 rats were divided into four groups: Intact, Prevention, Treatment and Control. Every group was subdivided into two groups: 1) Food and water were provided ad libitum. 2) Food and water were provided ad libitum and food supplements (Pomegranate juice, dried Date palm and Fig fruits). Modeling of induction acute colitis method was done by 1 ml. acetic acid 4% (pH = 2.3) based on the techniques of MacPherson (1978) and Yamada (1991). The results of this study showed that pomegranate juice and palm date dried fruit induced prophylactic effect on colitis of rat model."