Investigation of efficiency of colon-targeted linalool and lycopene in the experimental model of ulcerative colitis

This study was carried out with the aim of the investigation of possible protective effect of conventional and colon targeted linalool and lycopene comparatively in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). A total of 49 Wistar Albino rats (7 animals in each group) were used. Conventional and colon targeted linalool (200 mg/kg) and lycopene (10 mg/kg) were given to them for 7 days and then UC was induced using 4% acetic acid intrarectally. At the end of the experiment, the animals were decapitated and colon tissues were taken for analysis. Scores in terms of depth and width of ulcerative lesions were found to be highest in the UC group while lower in the targeted groups (P<0.001). It was detected that colon tissue malondialdehyde levels (MDA) in the UC group were higher (P <0.05) while reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were decreased (P<0.05). However, MDA levels were found to be lower in the targeted linalool and lycopene groups (P<0.05), while GSH levels, CAT and GPx activities were increased compared with UC group. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were also higher (P <0.05) in the UC group when compared to targeted lycopene group. It was detected that targeted linalool decreased level of IL- 1β and IL-6 (P <0.05). Additionally, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression levels were found to be higher, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) was lower in the UC group (P<0.05) where NF-kB and COX-2 protein expression levels were found to be lower and Nrf-2 was higher in the targeted groups (P<0.05). Consequently, the usage of targeted agents was found to be more effective than conventional usage against to histopathologic, oxidative and inflammatory damage occurred in the colon in the experimental UC model. Also targeted lycopene was found to be more effective than targeted linalool in the UC model. It was concluded from these data that targeted lycopene and linalool might have potential usage in the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease.