SUPPORTIVE EFFECTS OF OAT EMULSION GEL OF CURCUMIN ON DSS-INDUCED COLITIS IN MICE: IMPROVEMENTS IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Flores-Méndez Paulina, Vera-García Sara Luz, Estrada-Alvarado María Isabel and Flores-Berrios Ericka-Patricia*

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affects the colon and rectum. Given the adverse effects of current treatments, alternatives such as turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties,
have been investigated. Objective: This study evaluated the protective effects of a turmeric-based dietary
supplement in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. Methods: A colitis model was used,
where all mice, except the sham group, received 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 5 days. Subsequently, the mice
were treated orally with turmeric at 2000 mg/kg, minocycline at 100 mg/kg, or water as a vehicle for 4 days.
Histological sections of the colon were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to assess tissue
damage and inflammation. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a marker of neutrophil infiltration, was measured as an indicator of inflammation. Results: DSS-induced diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, an increase
in disease activity index (DAI), colon weight gain, and colon shortening. Treatment with turmeric significantly
reduced colon weight by 18% and colon shortening. Minocycline also showed significant improvements, reducing colon weight by 45%. Conclusions: The turmeric supplement demonstrated protective effects in the DSS-induced colitis model, suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory treatment for UC.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Bioavailability, Disease Activity Index, induced ulcerative colitis.