Anti-inflammatory effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum ( Bp ) in ulcerative colitis rats were investigated. Diet was formulated at (10% and 15%) supplementation levels using freeze-dried leaves. The protective effect of dietary supplemented Bp was investigated on C-Reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) contents, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide-dismutase (SOD), reduced-glutathione (GSH), and catalase activities in the colon of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis rats. Thirty-five Wistar rats were used and divided into five groups (n=7). Group 1-normal rats; Group 2–ulcerative colitis rats (UC); Group 3-UC rats + sulfasalazine; Group 4-UC + 10% Bp ; Group 5–UC + 15% Bp . After 21 days of the experimental process, comprising acclimatization, diet formulation, and pre-treatment with Bp supplemented diet before colitis induction, the rats were euthanized, and the colon and blood were collected for further analysis. The results showed that the significantly elevated CRP, cytokines, and MPO activities in ulcerative colitis rats were reduced compared with those in normal rats and in rats fed diets containing 10% and 15% Bp inclusion. This study suggests that Bp leaf indicated protective effects by modulating inflammatory cytokines, MPO, and antioxidant enzyme activities in the ulcerative colitis state. Practical application - the possible protective effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum in the progression of ulcerative colitis was proposed in this study. Bryophyllum pinnatum was supplemented in the diet of experimental animals, which were then pretreated with the diet, followed by induction of colitis with acetic acid. Interestingly, there was modulation of inflammatory enzymes and mediators, suggesting a protective effect of the plant on the escalation of ulcerative colitis. This work may be applicable to the pharmaceutical and food industries for developing inexpensive and safe therapeutic agents to manage ulcerative colitis. However, further preclinical and clinical investigation is required.
Omojokun et al. (Wed,) studied this question.