Preventive effects of cranberry products on animal model of colitis

Abstract

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a significantly higher risk for the development of colorectal cancer, however, treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases are limited and have severe adverse effects. Thus, there remains a critical need to identify effective bioactive components for the prevention of inflammatory bowel diseases. Importantly, there is potential that cranberries can be used to prevent inflammatory bowl diseases. By using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis model, we tested the preventive efficacy of cranberries on colitis. 7‐week old male BALB/c mice were given treatment diets for 6 weeks; Negative control, control, positive control (5‐aminosalicylic acid), cranberry extracts (0.11 & 0.011% total phenolics in diets), and dried whole cranberry (0.011% total phenolics with 0.7% cranberry fibers in diet). DSS was administered during week 3 and 6 to induce colitis. Hemoccult test, stool consistency scores, and colon length were measured. Cranberry extract (0.11% total phenolics) and dried whole cranberry fed groups showed significantly reduced hemoccult and stool consistency scores (20–52% and 34–66% reduction, respectively), where dried whole cranberry was more effective in preventing colitis over cranberry extract. Shortening of colon length, indicative of severity of colitis, was significantly prevented in animals fed dried whole cranberry compared to control. This suggests potential preventive effects of cranberry phenolics and especially fibers on development of colitis in this model. Supported by the Wisconsin Cranberry Board