Almond skin reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Almond polyphenols, mainly localized in the skin, have been previously shown to have a number of beneficial health effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of natural almond skin powder (NS) in mice subjected to experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in mice by intracolonic instillation of dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS), and NS was administered daily orally (30 mg/kg).Immunohistochemistry for i‐NOS nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) showed an intense staining in the inflamed colon. Treatment with NS significantly reduced the appearance of diarrhea and the loss of body weight. This was associated with a significant reduction in colonic MPO activity.The results of this study suggested that administration of NS may be beneficial for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.This work has been funded by the Almond Board of California.