Protective effect of the functional yogurt based on Malva parviflora leaves extract nanoemulsion on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) can be defined as inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and free radicals besides other chronic inflammatory aspects. Thus, this work was designed to find out how far enhancing the beneficial effects of yogurt fortified with Malva parviflora (M. parviflora) leaves extract nanoemulsion in attenuating experimental ulcerative colitis (UC). Sixty male albino rats were divided into six groups. After the experimental period, blood samples were collected for determination of pro-inflammatory markers [serum tumor necrosis factor- a (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) ] and homocysteine (Hcy). Also, colon tissues were separated for determination of reduced glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The obtained results depicted that the acetic acid (AA) induced UC in rats resulting in a significant increase in the levels of colon TBARS accompanied by a significant reduction of colon GSH, and TAC compared to the control rats. Pretreatment with nanoemulsion of M. parviflora leaves extract was shown to protect colon due to its anti-oxidative activity, antiinflammatory effect. Ultimately, it can be concluded that yogurt fortified with M. parviflora leaves extract nanoemulsion considered a powerful protective agent that inhibits the generation of reactive oxygen species and scavenges free radicals to improve antioxidant defense enzymes against AA induced UC.