Introduction: Ulcerative colitis is a serious health disease that is becoming more common around the world. It is characterized by an acute, chronic, and relapsing inflammatory illness manifested by abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Arabic gum is a natural gummy exudate with a variety of therapeutic benefits.
Aim of the Work: This work aimed to evaluate the role of arabic gum (A.G.) on suppression of acetic acid (A.A.) induced ulcerative colitis in adult male albino rat using different histological and immunohistochemical techniques.
Materials and Methods: The current study involved forty adult male albino rats that were randomly divided into four groups: group I represented the control group, group II was given A.G. (7.5gm/kg/day) orally for consecutive 10 days, group III received 4% A.A. (2 ml/rat) for induction of colitis, and group IV received arabic gum for 7 days, before induction of colitis and continued for 3 days after it in the same dose and manner as groups II & III. The colon specimens were processed for different histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Morphometrical and statistical studies were also performed.
Results: The group of A.A. showed destruction of crypts with formation of cyst like structure and loss of surface epithelium. Dilated blood vessels, hemorrhage, and heavy inflammatory cellular infiltration were also detected. Ultrastructurally, columnar cells showed widening of the intercellular spaces, rarified cytoplasm, and swollen mitochondria. Moreover, their nuclei appeared irregular with condensed chromatin. As regards goblet cells, there was coalescence of their secretory granules. Furthermore, significant decrease in the mean number of goblet cells, while the mean optical density of COX-2 immunostaining and the microscopic score showed a highly significant increase, when compared with control group. Additionally, the group of A.G.+ A.A. showed suppression of ulcerative colitis changes.
Conclusion: Ulcerative colitis changes could be ameliorated by arabic gum.