Royal jelly protects against experimentally-induced ulcerative colitis in adult male albino rats: A histological study

Abstract

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by acute episodes of colonic inflammation. Its pathogenesis is associated with decreased antioxidant capability. Royal Jelly (RJ) is usually used as a complementary therapy in various diseases because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Aim of the work: To evaluate the protective effect of RJ against acetic acid-induced UC in adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were divided equally into 3 groups. Group I was the control group. Group II included rats subjected to intracolonic acetic acid (AA) for induction of UC. Group III 10 rats treated with RJ (250 mg/kg/day orally) for 7 days, thereafter subjected to AA. RJ was administered for another 14 days. Rats were sacrificed after 21 days. Serum glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. Colonic sections were subjected to H&E, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), toluidine blue, Mallory's trichrome stains and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunohistochemical stain. Results: Group II showed significant decrease in GSH, significant increase in MDA and marked histological alterations in colon. There was a significant decrease in the number of goblet cells, but significant increases in the number of mast cells, area% of collagen fibers and COX-2 immunoexpression compared to the control. In group III, GSH was significantly increased and MDA was significantly decreased compared to group II. The colon showed minimal changes, significant increase in the number of goblet cells, significant reduction in the number of mast cells, collagen deposition and COX-2 immunoreactivity compared to group II. When compared to the control, there was no significant difference regards the serological, histological and morphometric results, except for the number of goblet cells that revealed significant decrease. Conclusion: RJ proven to protect against acetic acid-induced UC in albino rats.