Properties of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) kernels aqueous extract on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by uncontrolled inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Persea americana kernels aqueous extract on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Thirty-six (36) male and female rats, divided into six (6) groups of six (6) rats each, were anesthetized with a ketamine (50 mg/kg)/valium (10 mg/kg) mixture after eighteen (18) hours of fasting with free access to water. Colitis was induced by the intrarectal administration of 1 mL of acetic acid (4%) in all animals except the control group, which received 1 mL of distilled water. Five (5) hours later, the normal control and the colitis control received distilled water (1 mL/kg), the positive control received prednisolone (20 mg/kg), and the three other groups received Persea americana kernels aqueous extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for seven (7) days. During treatment, stool quality and changes in body weight were assessed. At the end of treatment, the animals were anesthetized and then sacrificed. The colon, liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood were collected for the analysis of inflammatory and hematological parameters. During treatment, the Persea americana extract reduced the number of diarrheal stools and maintained a nearly constant weight change. Persea extract significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.01) MPO activity, interleukin-6 levels, and TNFα. Based on these results, the aqueous extract of Persea americana kernel possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and could therefore be used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.