Possible Beneficial Effects of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Seeds Oils on Ulcerative Colitis Rat Model

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases that have lethal symptoms affecting human health. In this study; the amount of some bioactive constituents of cold pressed chia and anise seeds oils were determined. Furthermore their efficacy alone or in combination to compete with induced UC (30 mg of 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid; given intrarectally at the 15th day of the trial) was examined. Fifty five healthy adult male (Sprague -Dawely) rats were divided into five groups; 10 rats each, except UC control group that composed of 15 rats. Group (1): Healthy control, group (2): UC control, while groups (3-5): UC rats supplemented with 1 ml /kg body weight of chia seeds oil, anise seeds oil and 0.5ml of each oil respectively intragastrically for 30 days. Oils chemical analysis revealed that they contain significant amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids and have a strong antioxidant activity. But chia seeds oil has higher contents. UC markedly (p≤0.01) decreased body weight, colon length, red blood cells and platelets counts as well as hemoglobin content with significant (p≤0.01) increase in white blood cells count and colon weight. Increased (p≤0.01) colonic oxidative stress parameters initiated inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) production. Also immune response was detected by increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. All these biochemical alterations caused significant reduction (p≤0.01) in colonic antioxidant parameters. Also decreased deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation, apoptosis (p≤0.01) and increased oxidative DNA damage (p≤0.01) initiating tumor formation was indicated. Microscopic examination and records confirmed colonic tissue inflammation and ulceration. On the flip side treatment of rat’s colitis by tested oils ameliorated all these investigations and alleviated colitis. The most significant improvements were recorded in the fifth group that supplemented with both oils; followed by treated chia seeds oil group and finally treated anise seeds oil group.