Chapter 10 - Indian Medicinal Plants and Spices in the Prevention and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are the important immune-mediated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They are chronic, heterogenic, lifelong illnesses with young age of onset and a great potential for disability. Although the exact cause is unknown, these diseases are influenced by multiple factors of environmental and genetic origin. Its management presents a constant challenge for gastroenterologists and conventionally surgery, use of 5-amninosalicylates, antibiotics, steroids, and immunomodulators have been used to reduce the symptoms and for maintenance of remission. Unfortunately, long-term usages of these agents are observed to possess severe toxicities that are deterrent to the users. Plants have been a source of medicine and the Indian system of medicine, the Ayurveda, uses them either alone or as a combination to treat various ailments. The active principles curcumin from Curcuma longa (turmeric), guggulsterone from Commiphora mukul (guggul), the plants Allium sativum (garlic), Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis (kumari), Boswellia serrata (salai), Garcinia cambogia (Malabar tamarind), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), and Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been reported to ameliorate/prevent IBD in animal models of study. In this review, for the first time, the use of these medicinal plants and spices in the treatment and prevention of IBD is reviewed.