Elucidating The Alleviative Properties of Xylopia Aetopica Against Dss-Induced Ulcerative Colitis In Mice Model.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. UC as at today remain complex conditions with no available treatment medicines that effectively modulate both inflammatory immune response and oxidative stress simultaneously, Hence, the need for the continuous search for more potent pharmacological agents. The methanolic extract of Xylopia aethiopica pod contains several bioactive compounds that have been reported to exhibit various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to examine the mechanistic effect of Xylopia aethiopica on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Twenty five male mice were randomly selected into 5 equal groups, (1) control group with no treatments, (2) Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced group with vehicle, treated with corn oil and (3) Dextran sulphate sodium induced group treated with xylopia aethiopica 200mg/kg, (4) Dextran sulphate sodium induced group treated with xylopia aethiopica 400mg/kg, and (5) Dextran sulphate sodium induced group treated with 400mg/kg of sulfasalazine. Disease activity index (DAI) was assessed. At the end of the experiment, the colon samples were collected for biochemical assays and immunochemical staining. The result of this study revealed that xylopia aethiopica potentiate great remedy in mitigating the progression of UC with reduced DAI, lipid peroxidation (MDA). inflammatory markers (nitrite, TNF-a, IL-6, arginase, MPO). XA also significantly increased the colonic antioxidant (GSH, GST, SOD, catalase) levels and increased acetylcholinesterase activity. Conclusively, XA holds potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for UC, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and mucosal protective effects