The investigation of protective effects of harpagophytum procumbens extract in experimental rat colitis model

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, characterized by neutrophil infiltration, epithelial cell necrosis and ulceration in the colon. The roots of the Harpagophytum procumbens plant have been used in complementary medicine for the treatment of rheumatism and pain in South Africa for many years. In the study, the possible protective effects of Harpagophytum procumbens extract on pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, apoptosis and antioxidant parameters were investigated in an experimental colitis model in rats. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. To the control group, 2 ml of physiological saline (FTS) was administered orally for 14 days, and 2 ml of was administered intrarectally at the end of the 14th day. For Harpagophytum procumbens (HP) group; HP was administered orally in 2 ml FTS at a dose of 300 mg/kg for 14 days. To the colitis group, 2 ml of FTS was administered orally for 14 days, and at the end of the 14th day, 2 ml of 3% acetic acid was administered intrarectally. In the colitis+HP group, HP was administered orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg in 2 ml FTS for 14 days, and at the end of the 14th day, 2 ml of 3% acetic acid was administered intrarectally. In the Colitis+Sulfasalazine (SS) group, 100 mg/kg sulfasalazine was infused orally for 14 days, and at the end of the 14th day, 2 ml of 3% acetic acid was infused intrarectally. 24 hours after the last administration of each group, 4-5 ml blood sample and 5 cm distal colon were taken. In this study, colon tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically (Bcl-2, Bax). MDA, SOD, TAS, NO, TNF-α, IL-6, ceruloplasmin and sialic acid were analyzed in serum. When the colitis group was compared with the control group, there was a statistically significant increase in MDA, NO, IL-6, TNF-α and sialic acid levels, and a significant decrease in SOD, TAS and ceruloplasmin levels. In the Colitis+HP group, a statistically significant increase in the decreasing SOD, TAS and ceruloplasmin values, and a statistically significant decrease in the increased MDA, NO, IL-6, TNF-α and sialic acid levels were determined compared to the Colitis group. In the histopathological examination of colon tissue in the colitis group; ıt was determined that loss of mucosal structure, inflammatory cell infiltration, crypt abscess formation, edema, congestion and goblet cell depletion increased, and in the Colitis + HP group, HP showed a moderate protective effect. As a result of immunohistochemical evaluation, it was observed that apoptosis increased in the Colitis group compared to the Control group (decrease in Bcl-2, increase in Bax), and decreased in the Colitis + HP group compared to the Colitis group. In conclusion; It was concluded that Harpagophytum procumbens may have a protective effect on oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant and apoptosis parameters in ulcerative colitis.