The Prophylactic and Therapeutic Effects of Ficus carica Seed Oil on TNBS-Induced Experimental Model of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Aim: Ficus carica (fig) fruit is known for its rich bioactive content and medicinal properties. Fig seed oil, in particular, contains high levels of antioxidants and tocopherols. This study aimed to evaluate the potential preventive and therapeutic effects of cold-pressed fig seed oil on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced experimental colitis in rats. Material and Methods: Sixty Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: Sham, TNBS, and Ficus carica seed oil administration for 3-day 3 mL/kg (SFC3), 3-day 6 mL/kg (SFC6), 15-day 3 mL/kg (LFC3), and 15-day 6 mL/kg (LFC6). Colitis was induced using TNBS dissolved in 37% ethanol. Fig seed oil was administered at 3 mL/kg and 6 mL/kg doses, once daily for 12 days prior to induction and 3 days post-induction for long-term (15-day) groups, while for short-term (3-day) groups, it was administered once daily for 3 days after induction. Results: Histological analysis revealed significantly lower tissue damage in fig seed oil-treated groups compared to the TNBS group. Long-term treatment groups showed better histopathological recovery than short-term treatment groups. Biochemical markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, including myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were significantly reduced in treatment groups. Conversely, antioxidant enzyme levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were significantly higher. These biochemical findings were consistent with histological improvements. Conclusion: Cold-pressed fig seed oil may exert therapeutic effects against colitis through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It shows promise as a supplementary treatment option for inflammatory bowel disease.

Keywords

• Anti-inflammatory agents
• antioxidants
• Ficus carica
• sulfonic acids
• colitis

Ficus carica Çekirdeği Yağının TNBS ile İndüklenen Ülseratif Kolit Deneysel Modelinde Koruyucu ve Tedavi Edici Etkileri

Öz

Amaç: Ficus carica (incir) meyvesi, zengin biyoaktif içeriği ve tıbbi özellikleriyle bilinmektedir. Özellikle incir çekirdeği yağı, yüksek düzeyde antioksidanlar ve tokoferoller içermektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, soğuk pres yöntemiyle elde edilen incir çekirdeği yağının trinitrobenzen sülfonik asit (TNBS) ile indüklenen deneysel kolit modeli üzerindeki olası koruyucu ve tedavi edici etkilerini değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Altmış Wistar Albino sıçan altı gruba ayrıldı: Sham ve TNBS ile 3-gün 3 mL/kg (SFC3), 3-gün 6 mL/kg (SFC6), 15-gün 3 mL/kg (LFC3) ve 15-gün 6 mL/kg (LFC6) Ficus carica çekirdeği yağı uygulaması. Kolit, %37 etanolde çözülmüş TNBS kullanılarak indüklendi. İncir çekirdeği yağı, uzun süreli (15-gün) gruplar için indüksiyondan 12 gün önce ve indüksiyondan 3 gün sonra günde bir kez, kısa süreli (3-gün) gruplar için ise indüksiyondan sonra 3 gün boyunca günde bir kez, 3 mL/kg ve 6 mL/kg dozlarında uygulandı. Bulgular: Histolojik analizlerde incir çekirdeği yağı ile tedavi edilen gruplarda TNBS grubuna kıyasla doku hasarı anlamlı derecede daha düşüktü. Uzun süreli tedavi grupları, kısa süreli tedavi gruplarına göre daha iyi histopatolojik iyileşme göstermiştir. İnflamasyon ve oksidatif stres biyokimyasal belirteçleri olan miyeloperoksidaz (MPO), malondialdehit (MDA), interlökin-1 (IL-1) ve tümör nekroz faktör-alfa (TNF-α) düzeyleri tedavi gruplarında anlamlı şekilde azalmıştır. Buna karşılık, süperoksit dismutaz (SOD), katalaz (CAT) ve glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx) gibi antioksidan enzim düzeyleri anlamlı şekilde daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Bu biyokimyasal bulgular, histolojik iyileşmelerle uyumludur. Sonuç: Soğuk pres yöntemiyle elde edilen incir çekirdeği yağı, anti-inflamatuvar ve antioksidan özellikleri aracılığıyla kolit üzerinde tedavi edici etkiler gösterebilir. İnflamatuvar bağırsak hastalıklarında tamamlayıcı bir tedavi seçeneği olarak umut vaat etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Antiinflamatuar ajanlar
• antioksidanlar
• incir
• sülfonik asitler
• kolit

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