Efficacy of Dietary Supplementation in the Relief of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies.

Context: Supplementation with dietary components is a promising approach for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Objective: The aim was to examine the effects of dietary supplements on experimental animal models of IBD.

Data sources: Articles were selected from 2016 to 2021 and from specific databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus).

Data extraction: Forty-nine studies were analyzed.

Data analysis: Of the 49 studies, 8 investigated supplementation with oils/polyunsaturated fatty acids, 5 with flavones, 5 with prebiotics and probiotics, 6 with amino acids, 4 with fruits, 4 with vegetables, 2 with minerals, 2 with vitamins, 3 with plants, 2 with polyphenols, and 8 from various sources. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavones, prebiotics, and probiotics are among the most extensively studied compounds. Protection is associated with reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, protecting the epithelial barrier and altering the microbiota; however, more rigorous protocols are needed to definitively confirm their protective effects and enable translational research. Fruits, vegetables, plant compounds, minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols, on the other hand, should be studied further and deserve more attention in research.

Conclusion: The results included here support further research into the beneficial effects of supplementation in IBD. Some studies are more advanced and have presented more elaborate protocols, while others still require an increase in knowledge. The identification of dietary supplements that can improve the course of IBD could have an important and lasting impact on the treatment of IBD.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022295260.