ANTI-INFLAMMATORYAND ANTI-OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM ON HEALING OF ACETIC ACID INDUCED ULCERATIVE COLITIS

ABSTRACT

The incidence of ulcerative colitis is increasing with report of relapse with conventional treatment. Triticum Aestivum (common wheat) is known to contain a lot of healthy antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, this study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of common wheat on acetic-acid induced colitis in male Wistar rats.

Wistar rats (n=60, 150-200g) were randomly divided into 4 groups. They were treated as follows; I (control), II- acetic-acid induced colitis untreated (6% acetic-acid), IIIacetic-acid induced colitis + mesalamine (400mg/kg) and IV-aqueous extract of common wheat (200mg/kg) for three weeks prior to ulcerative colitis induction, respectively. The Ulcerative colitis score was assessed. Evaluation of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, protein level and interleukin-6 were evaluated by spectrophotometry. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM, analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with P<0.05.

The total weight change significantly increased in group IV (31.90±5.21) compared to group II (0.05±0.00mEq/L), P<0.001, pretreatment with aqueous extract of Triticum Aestivum significantly increased the weight of animals in I, III and IV compared to group II, P<0.05. Ulcer score significantly decreased in all treatment groups when compared to group II, P<0.05. Malondialdehyde level significantly increased in group II compared to other groups, P<0.05. Superoxide dismutase and protein level significantly increased in all treatment groups, P<0.05. Compared to group II. The interleukin was significantly decrease in group IV and group I compared to II and II.

This further decrease as the healing progress on day 14 post ulcerative colitis induction. Treatment with mesalamine, a regular drug for treatment increase the interleukin-6 on day 3 post ulcerative colitis induction and the level is not different from the group II( experimental group).

In conclusion, the findings of this study suggests that aqueous extract of common wheat possess anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to increase activities of antioxidants and reduce inflammation.

Keywords: common wheat, ulcerative colitis, antioxidants, interleukin-6

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0. INTRODUCTION

The function of the gastrointestinal tract is to perform digestion of food, absorption of nutrients and excretion of waste (Hunter, 2003). The gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and lastly the anus (Hunter, 2017). An abnormality in any step of the GIT pathway results in gastrointestinal

disorders (Faville et al., 2018).

Some of the gastrointestinal disorders include peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, celiac diseases, Barret syndrome etc.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain. It can be treated by avoiding caffeine, increase in fiber in diet and taking appropriate medications (Bhutto et al., 2012).

Celiac disease is a condition which is triggered by an immune response to gluten. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation and weight loss (John et al., 2010).Constipation: In this case, bowel movements are usually painful and the stool comes out hard and dry. Symptoms include abdominal pain, blockage of the rectum (John et al., 2010).

Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s diseases and Ulcerative inflammatory diseases (Bhutto et al., 2012). Crohn’s disease is a digestive disorder in which the ileum becomes inflamed and ulcerated. Symptoms include loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, weight loss, fever, fatigue and bloody stool (Bhutto et al., 2012).

Ulcerative colitis is part of the inflammatory bowel diseases which causes ulcer and inflammation in the colon (Benchimol et al., 2016). It usually affects the colon and the rectum. Studies show that overall incidence is reported to be 1.3 – 20.4 and 8.6 – 25.6 cases per 100,000 persons each year (Benchimol et al., 2016). Although the etiology of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) has not fully been understood, it has been reported to be related with antioxidant capacity reduction and increased oxidative stress for example expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced antioxidant system. Studies shows that patients prediagnosed with ulcerative colitis produce a lot of ROS resulting in lipid peroxidation of membrane causing harm on DNA and also tissue proteins (Kono, 2013).

Pathological responses and symptoms of UC are stimulated by the tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β. The production and secretion of the inflammatory mediators can be inhibited through medications (Danese et al., 2004). Most reports have shown that most patients with UC are non smokers making smoking an

independent risk factor in ulcerative colitis. Smoking has been reported to increase colonic mucus production (Danese et al., 2004).

Epidemiological data show that NSAID’s can worsen the condition or trigger the effects of ulcerative colitis (Morteau et al., 2005). In 35% of patients, psychological stress has been traced to be a potential reason for UC due to increased susceptibility to infection via stress-associated impairment to immune responses (Morteau et al., 2005).

UC is usually classified based on the location;

1. Ulcerative proctitis: Usually the mildest and is found in the rectum. It is usually characterized by rectal bleeding (Kono, 2013).
2. Proctosigmoiditis: characterized by inflammation of the colon along with the rectum. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pains
3. Left-sided colitis: This usually affects the rectum, sigmoid, and also the descending colon. Symptoms include abdominal cramps
4. Pancolitis: In this case, the entire colon is usually affected. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, fatigue and weight loss (Sood et al., 2015).

Several factors are involved in the pathogenesis of UC such as use of NSAIDs, immune system response, genetic factors, milk consumption and psychological stress.

Inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressant are currently used to reduce the symptoms of UC (Barnes, 2019), however when used for a long time can cause adverse effects. The use of potential plants have been studied and introduced into clinical trials and experimental studies. Plants such as aloe Vera, turmentil extract, curcumin and wheat grass (Barnes et al., 2019).

Triticum Aesativum otherwise      known   as   common   wheat   is  the   dried   form    of

wheatgrass with lots of nutritional components. It is super rich in protein, fiber and carbohydrates (Barnes et al., 2019). It contains a lot of healthy antioxidants such as alkylresorcinols which may decrease inflammation. Gluten, which is protein constituent found in wheat can trigger or worsen the effects of UC in prediagnosed persons. Research shows that common wheat may be a good source of minerals such as iron, calcium, thiamine and vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper and folate (Oliver et al., 2017). Aleurone layer, a layer of the wheat bran contains the most antioxidants found in common wheat such as ligans. Wheat bran acts as probiotics, providing food for the useful bacteria found in the gut and also reduce the risk of colon cancer (Oliver et al., 2017). Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH. Among the various models of experimental colitis, it is used to evaluate the healing of inflammatory bowel diseases (Oliver et al., 2017). Ulceration colitis is induced with acetic acid by an intrarectal administration into the colon and rectum of rats (Khor, 2011). Although anti-inflammatory drugs have been used to treat UC for a long time, they also possess side effects such as increased risk of cancer in teenagers and tuberculosis in adults. Hence, this study investigates the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Tritium Aestivum (common wheat on healing of acetic acid in male Wistar rats).

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory bowel diseases which results in inflammation and ulceration of the colon. Studies show that overall incidence is reported to be 1.3 20.4 and 8.6 – 25.6 cases per 100,000 persons each year. In Nigeria, deaths caused by ulcerative colitis results from under-diagnosis (Ekwunife, 2005). Recent information shows misdiagnosis may have accounted from lack of reports on ulcerative colitis. Three cases were diagnosed late with a range of 3 to 7 years. However there has been difficulty sourcing the basic drugs for the treatment of UC in Nigeria.

Inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressant are currently used to reduce the symptoms of UC but however when used for a long time can cause adverse effects. The use of potential plants have been studied and introduced into clinical trials and experimental studies. Plants such as aloe Vera, turmentil extract, curcumin and wheat

grass.

Studies have shown that Triticum Aestivum may be confirmed to contain gluten which may not be suitable for people prediagnosed with ulcerative colitis. However there is paucity of information on the effect of wheat grain on ulcerative colitis hence the need to elucidate the effect of aqueous extract of Triticum aestivum on experimental colitis.

HYPOTHESIS 0: common wheat will prevent pathogenesis of acetic-acid induced colitis.

HYPOTHESIS 1: common wheat will not prevent pathogenesis of acetic-acid induced colitis.

1.1.1AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Triticum Aestivum on healing of acetic acid induced

colitis.

1.1.2 OBJECTIVES

Studying the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Triticum Aestivum on acetic-acid induced colitis by

• Assessing the ulcerative score of colitis, stool scoring
• Assessing the lipid peroxidation and antioxidants
• Assessing its effect on the inflammatory such as interleukin-6

ANTI-INFLAMMATORYAND ANTI-OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM ON HEALING OF ACETIC ACID INDUCED ULCERATIVE COLITIS

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