Changes in Body Temperature and Intestinal Antioxidant Enzymes in Healthy and Colitis Male Rats: Role ofGarciniakola

Abstract

The status of body temperature and antioxidant/free radical balance can be used as an index of health, the presence and progression of disease conditions. Studies have shown that Garcinia kola (GK), an agricultural produce exhibits numerous health benefits. The present study investigated the effect of pretreatment with a crude extract of GK on Mean body temperature (MBT) and antioxidant enzymes in normal and colitis male rats induced by acute Acetic acid (AA) instillation. Twenty adult male albino rats weighing 120-150g were randomly divided into vehicle, GK, AA and GK+AA groups. Rats were treated respectively with distilled water and 150mg/kg of GK per day for three weeks. Acetic acid was induced through a single intra-colic instillation of 1ml/200g/BWT of 7% acetic acid. The result showed that GK- treatment did not lead to a statistical decrease in MBT when compared with vehicle, but there was a significant reduction in GK treated group when compared with AA and GK+AA groups respectively. Intestinal superoxide dismutase SOD and catalase of GK-treated rats were significantly elevated (P<0.05) when compared with vehicle, AA and GK+AA groups. GK treatment caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in intestinal malondialdehyde when compared with vehicle, AA and GK+AA groups. Therefore, GK administration alleviated hyperthermia in acetic acid inducedcolitis and improved intestinal antioxidant enzymes in both healthy and colitis male rats.