Medicinal Herb Extracts In Chronic Colitis: Amelioration Of Inflammation And Restoration Of Intestinal Barrier Integrity

Abstract

Medicinal herbs, known for their bioactive phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut-protective properties, offering a potential therapeutic method for restoring intestinal homeostasis. Evaluating the impact of medicinal plant extracts on intestinal barrier restoration and inflammation reduction in a chronic colitis model was the main objective of this research. Experimental data were obtained using a murine model of colitis made by chemical irritants, with groups receiving either a standard diet or a diet supplemented with a defined dose of herbal extracts. Inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, and intestinal barrier integrity indicators were systematically measured. Analyses involved quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme activity assays, and histopathological evaluations, alongside gut microbiota profiling to assess the modulatory effects on microbial communities. Statistical evaluation was conducted using ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons in IBM SPSS version 28.0 to determine significant differences among experimental groups (EG). The results demonstrated that herbal extract supplementation significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress levels while enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and expression of tight junction proteins, indicating improved barrier integrity. Herbal extract supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α from 120.4 ± 5.6 to 78.3 ± 4.2 pg/mg and IL-6 from 98.7 ± 4.9 to 62.5 ± 3.7 pg/mg at day 14, while restoring tight junction protein expression. Positive changes in the makeup of intestinal microbes were also noted. According to these results, extracts from medicinal herbs are used to treat chronic colitis by efficiently reducing colonic oedema and enhancing the healing function of the gut barrier.