Assessment of the Intestinal Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatoryProperties of Ethanolic Moringa oleifera Extract in DNBS-Induced AcuteColitis in Mice

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated diseases that severely compromise patients' lives. Moringa oleifera (EMO) is a medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. This study aims to investigate the potential intestinal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanolic extract from EMO leaves against colitis induced by DNBS in BALB/c mice. Methods: FTIR-ATR was used to identify the chemical compounds present in the EMO. Three doses of EMO (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) have been administered orally after the induction of acute colitis via DNBS. The inflammatory status was recorded using the Disease Activity Index (DAI); subsequently, biochemical and histological damage were also evaluated. In this context, colon tissue samples were used to assess microscopic scores and determine the dosage of biochemical markers, including catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: FTIR-ATR demonstrated the presence of phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids in the EMO. Mice treated with EMO leaves showed a significant reduction in DAI and histological damage score. Antioxidant markers, including GSH levels and CAT activity, were significantly increased in the treated groups. NO, MDA levels, and MPO activity in colon tissues were significantly decreased compared with those in colitic untreated mice. Discussion: These findings demonstrate the beneficial effects of EMO mediated by reductions in MDA, MPO, and NO levels and increases in CAT and GSH levels. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EMO has substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in a DNBS-induced acute colitis in mice.