Acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis alleviation by Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich in Sprague Dawley rats

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by immune system dysregulation, with oxidative stress and humoral immunity significantly involved. While many advances in therapy exist, ongoing challenges highlight the need for new therapies. Medicinal plants, like Xylopia aethiopica, show promise due to their ability to modulate inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance tissue healing, all with fewer side effects and lower costs. This study sought to investigate the chemo-profile of the aqueous ethanol extract of the dried fruit of X. aethiopica and its alleviating potential of ulcerative colitis induced with acetic acid in rats. After extraction of the dried fruit of X. aethiopica, HPLC finger print was generated using established method. Sprague Dawley rats were treated with Xylopia aethiopica extract at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg for 8 days with colitis being induced on the 4th day of treatment, using normal saline and 500 mg/kg sulphasalazine as naïve and positive controls, respectively. The different compounds identified in the dried fruit extract of X. aethiopica were seven bands. Findings from this study also showed that treatment with X. aethiopica extract suppresses macroscopic and histologic damage, improves mucosal regeneration by reducing silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions, and significantly increases antioxidant enzymes; ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Thus, the hydroethanolic dried fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica is effective in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis and may serve as alternate therapy or source of drug leads in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and this may be attributed to a myriad of compounds in the extract.