Protective Effect of Ginger Volatile Oil Against Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats: A Light Microscopic Evaluation Publisher Pubmed



Rashidian A^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ; Mehrzadi S^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ; Ghannadi AR^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ; Mahzooni P^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ; Sadr S^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} ; Minaiyan M^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Source: Journal of integrative medicine Published:2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Ulcerative colitis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. In the present study, the effect of ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe) volatile oil on a rat model of colitis was evaluated.; METHODS: Volatile oil of ginger with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, prednisolone (4 mg/kg), or vehicle were administered orally to groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6) for 5 d. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups, each group consisting of 6 rats. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 2 mL of 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution. All rats were sacrificed 24 h later and the tissue injuries were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically.; RESULTS: Ginger volatile oil with all doses reduced colon weight/length ratio (P < 0.01) and the effects were similar to the reference drugs. Higher oral doses of volatile oil (200 and 400 mg/kg) reduced ulcer severity (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), ulcer area (P < 0.01) and ulcer index (P < 0.01). On the other hand, evaluation of microscopic scores showed that the dose of 400 mg/kg of volatile oil was effective to reduce inflammation severity (P < 0.01) and inflammation extent (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.; CONCLUSION: It is concluded that ginger volatile oil could effectively reduce symptoms of experimental colitis in a dose-dependent manner.