Effects of <i>Polygonum aviculare</i> Ingestion on Inflammatory and Antioxidant Status and Colonic Microbial Count in Acetic Acid-Induced Murine Colitis
| Author | Elnaz Amirazodi | en |
| Author | Razieh Pourahmad Jaktaji | en |
| Orcid | Razieh Pourahmad Jaktaji [0000-0002-5550-5669] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-05-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: The Polygonaceae family is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Plants in this family are also consumed as vegetables or flavoring agents. This study investigated whether a mouse diet containing Polygonum aviculare powder (PAP) could inhibit the development of colonic inflammation in an animal model of colitis. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate PAP’s ability to prevent colonic inflammation in mice following intrarectal administration of acetic acid. Methods: Acetic acid solution (3% v/v) was administered intrarectally to male BALB/c mice (n = 8) for 3 consecutive days in the positive control group (C+). For comparison, three other groups with the same number of mice were treated with acetic acid (3% or 4% v/v) and subsequently received PAP (T1 and T2 groups) or diclofenac (2.5 mg/kg/day; D group). Colon tissue and stool samples were collected after dissection on day 12 for histological, molecular, and microbial analyses. Results: Mouse weight increased significantly in the T1 and T2 groups (PAP-treated groups) compared with that in the C+ group (P < 0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the T1 and T2 groups compared with that in the C+ group. NF-κB gene expression decreased significantly in the T1, T2, and D groups compared with that in the C+ group (P < 0.05). GPx and CAT expression increased in the T1, T2, and D groups compared with that in the C+ group (P < 0.05). The reduced total microbial count in the C+ group (3 × 105) was partially restored in the T1 and T2 groups (3 × 106 and 1 × 106, respectively). Conclusions: PAP inhibited the development of colonic inflammation and leukocyte infiltration in acetic acid-induced murine colitis by downregulating NF-κB gene expression and upregulating genes encoding antioxidants. These findings suggest that short-term PAP consumption in mice may help prevent the development of digestive diseases. Further research is needed to determine whether consumption of Polygonum plants can protect humans against inflammatory bowel disease and whether regular consumption has preventive effects. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjnpp-170044 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjnpp/articles/170044 | en |
| Keyword | Antioxidant | en |
| Keyword | Acetic Acid | en |
| Keyword | Colitis | en |
| Keyword | Inflammation | en |
| Keyword | <i>Polygonum aviculare</i> | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Effects of <i>Polygonum aviculare</i> Ingestion on Inflammatory and Antioxidant Status and Colonic Microbial Count in Acetic Acid-Induced Murine Colitis | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |