Background/Objectives: In this work, a modified low dose model of induction of ulcerative colitis was used including the administration of single intra-rectal instillation of 1 ml of 5% acetic acid followed by 2% dextran sodium sulfate for 7 days. Moreover, aqueous suspension of Spirulina (500 mg /kg stomach gavage)was prophylactically used 7 days before disease induction . Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effect was achieved by spirulina
.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of spirulina as a new, safe in treatment of ulcerative colitis
Material and methods: Chronic UC was induced by 1ml 5% intracolonic acetic acid instillation in adult male albino rats as single dose following by adding 2% DSS orally in drinking water for 7 days. Intragastric administration of spirulina. (500 mg/kg/day) was administrated 7 days before acetic acid instillation and continued for the end of the experiment.
Disease activity index (DAI), colonic oxidative stress markers, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a levels, IL1B, and the colonic histopathological changes were observed.
Results: spirulina attenuated the severity of the acetic acid -DSS induced colitis through improving the DAI, the colonic oxidative stress markers, TNF-a, IL1B, morphological and partially ameliorate all histopathological changes.
Conclusion: Therapeutically, spirulina could be administered in chronic colitis as potent antioxidant compounds and anti-inflammatory effect of phyocyanin will become a therapeutic strategy of choice for UC to improve the quality of life if sufficient clinical trials are available.
Keywords: spirulina,oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor .