Experimental pharmacology assessment of Agave brittoniana subsp. brachypus (Trel.) in ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with an unknown cause. It is characterized by damage to the colonic mucosa, which often results in symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life. Treatment aims to control inflammation, reduce symptoms, and minimize fluid and nutrient losses. Currently, there is no known cure for ulcerative colitis. The study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) and the butanolic fraction (FB) from Agave brittoniana subsp. brachypus (Trel.) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Ulcerative colitis was induced in Sprague Dawley rats using 2.5% acetic acid. Three dose levels for both HAE (150-300-600 mg/kg) and BF (25-50-100 mg/kg) were evaluated. The study recorded the variation of body weight, macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage index, and colonic myeloperoxidase. Body weight loss was lower in all treated groups compared to the untreated group. Similarly, there were fewer signs of necrosis and tissue damage in the colon in the groups treated with HAE and BF. Agave brittoniana T exhibited an effective anti-inflammatory effect in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis, indicating its potential as a natural treatment for the condition.

Keywords

• colitis
• agave
• myeloperoxidase
• Sprague-Dawley

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