AEGLE MARMELOS LEAF EXTRACT IS PROTECTIVE AGAINST EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED ENTEROCOLITIS VIA ANTIOXIDANT MECHANISM

Oxidative stress is believed to be a key factor in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of the mucosal damage in inflammatory bowel disease. The investigation was envisaged to assess the protective effect of diethyl ether extract of leaves of Aegle marmelos Corr. (DEAM) in view of reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in acetic acid-induced enterocolitis in albino Wistar rats. Enterocolitis was induced by intrarectal injection of acetic acid (5% V/V). The study comprised of five different groups consisting of six animals each and two doses [100, 200 mg / kg] were selected. The protective effect in the treatment group of animals was assessed by measuring levels of biomarkers of inflammation [MPO] and oxidative stress [CAT, SOD and GSH] in the inflamed colon and several physiological parameters. Significant and dose dependent changes in the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress in DEAM treated animals was suggestive of the antioxidant-mechanism protective effect by Aegle marmelos.