Evaluation of protective effect of Arum maculatum against dextran sulfate sodium- induced experimental colitis in

Ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain, and mucosal ulceration limited to the large intestine. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants are used to treat UC, their long-term use has shown various adverse effects. Therefore many researchers target to utilize from medicinal plants to cure UC. Arum maculatum has been used for digestive system disorders traditionally by people for centuries. However, there is no research regarding the use of A. maculatum against UC. This study aims to determine the protective effect of A. maculatum against dextran sulphate sodium-induced (DSS) experimental colitis in rats. Ethics committee approval was approved by the Gaziantep University Animal Experimentations Local Ethics Committee. The histological (macroscopic and microscopic scores) and biochemical (malonaldehyde (MDA) and oxidative stress index (OSI)) parameters of colon samples obtained from rats were examined. Overall, the biochemical and histological findings of the present investigation demonstrated that treatment of rats with A.maculatum protected the colon against DSS induced colitis in a dose dependent manner. The plant methanol extraction yield was found as 26.23%. The total phenolic and flavonoid amounts of A.maculatum were determined as 32.919±1.125 mg GAE/g and 52.045±7.902 µg RE/mg. respectively. IC50 value of the extract was found as 105.76 µg mL-1 by DPPH radical cleaning activity. Key Words: Arum maculatum, Ulcerative Colitis, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases)