Histological study of the effect of curcumin on indomethacin-induced ileitis in adult male albino rats

Abstract

Background Ileitis induced by indomethacin represents a well-standardized model in the study of acute and chronic inflammation of the intestine. Curcumin is an orange-yellow component of the herb turmeric. It has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Aim This work was performed to show the effect of curcumin on indomethacin-induced ileitis in rats using H&E stain. Materials and methods Thirty-six mature male albino rats (160–200 g) were used in this study. They were separated into four formain groups; control group: 8 rats, group I: 8 rats that received oral aqueous suspension of curcumin 100 mg/kg daily; group II: 10 rats included subgroups (IIA & IIB): ileitis was induced by subcutaneous injection of two doses of indomethacin; each dose was 7.5 mg/kg separated by 24 hours, the rats were then killed on the 3rd and the 18th day, respectively, and group III: 10 rats included subgroups (IIIA& IIIB): the ileitis group was treated with an oral aqueous suspension of curcumin 100 mg/kg daily and then the rats were killed on the 3rd and 18th day respectively. Results Subgroups IIA and IIB revealed sloughing of surface epithelium in the lumen of the intestine, ulceration, a significant decrease of villus height at H&E sections, and inflammatory cellular infiltration. Subgroups IIIA and IIIB showed marked improvement in the pathological changes of induced ileitis. Conclusion Curcumin could decrease ileitis induced by indomethacin in rats. So, it could be useful for the treatment of intestinal injury.