Effect of Fasciola hepatica on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rat model

Ulcerative colitis is one of the common causes of gastrointestinal tract diseases in developing countries. This disease causes disability, especially in young adults, and imposes many social and economic burdens on the community. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects Effect of Fasciola hepatica extract on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rat model. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Colitis was induced by administration of 4% acetic acid. Control group just was administrated phosphate-bufferedsaline (S.C.) and the other groups were received Prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg) and Fasciola hepatica extract (100 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days.Since then, the animals were euthanized and intestinal tissue and blood samples were taken. Macroscopic and microscopic features, inflammatory mediators as well as cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 were assessed. The amount of the myeloperoxidase production was the same between the two treatment groups. As compared to the control, both of the treatment groups produced lower amount of TNF-α and IL-6, however this reduction was more pronounced in Prednisolone treated animals than those of extract treated. There were no significant differences between Prednisolone andFasciola extract regarding gross damages and histopathological features. since preparation of Fasciola extract is easy and simple, it may be used as ameliorative agent for ulcerative colitis.