Phyto-profiling and therapeutic intervention of Helianthus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves extracts against Dextran sodium sulphate induced colitis in Wistar rats.

The gastrointestinal tract is the prime organ for digestion while exposing to outer environmental toxins and pathogens. A breach in the epithelial barrier of the gastrointestinal tract will lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, growth retardation, ulcers, and extra intestinal manifestation. The current therapeutic approach causes dysbiosis and worsens the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, ultimately leading to colorectal cancer. Herbal medicine is the key to resolving the issue without or least side effects. Current experimental study was executed to evaluate the anti-oxidative and therapeutic potential of both Helianthus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced acute colitis in Wistar rat and to support the clinical use of herbal medicine with scientific evidence. Results revealed that H. annuus seeds (500 mg/kg) have significantly (P<0.05) higher amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content with higher 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reducing power in comparison to S. oleracea leaves (500 mg/kg) extract. The serum total antioxidative capacity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Helianthuus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves as compared to positive control group, while total oxidative stress was significantly lower in both treatment groups as compared to positive control group. Gene expression analysis revealed that JAK/STAT signaling pathways (Cell stress pathways) were significantly (P<0.05) down regulated, and NRF-2 transcriptional pathways (antioxidant pathways) were significantly (P<0.05) upregulated in H. annuus seeds and S. oleracea leaves groups compared to control positive group. The obtained results after analyzing biological samples revealed that Helianthus annuus seeds and Spinacia oleracea leaves possess a significant antioxidant dependent anti-inflammatory potential. Histopathology of gut revealed that positive control group showed irregular epithelial lining with shortening of villi and damaged mucosal surface while treatment group showed recovery with normal epithelial parenchyma. The overall results of this experimental study determined that both herbal interventions elicited an antiinflammatory effect dependent on antioxidative mechanisms in response to experimentally induced acute colitis in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]