Effects of the Antioxidant Quercetin in an Experimental Model of Ulcerative Colitis in Mice
George Kottakis, Katerina Kambouri, Alexandra Giatromanolaki, Georgia Valsami, Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos, Alexandra Tsaroucha, Michael Pitiakoudis
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Quercetin, a member of the flavanol family found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains has been found to have a wide range of biological effects on human physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin, when administered orally in the form of the water-soluble inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (Que-HP-β-CD), in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis in mice. Materials and Methods: Animals received either Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS), to induce colitis, + Que-HP-β-CD (Group A), DSS alone (Group B) or no intervention (control, Group C) for 7 days. All animals were weighed daily, and evaluation of colitis was performed using the Disease Activity Index (DAI). On day 7 a blood sample was taken from all animals, they were then euthanised, the large intestine was measured, and histological and immunochemical analyses were performed. Results: The DAI demonstrated an increase over time for the groups receiving DSS (Groups A and B) compared with the control group (Group C), with a significant degree of protection being observed in the group that also received quercetin (Group A): The DAI over time slope for Group B was higher than that for Group A by 0.26 points/day (95% Cl 0.20−0.33, p < 0.01). Weight calculations and immunohistochemistry results validated the DAI findings. Conclusions: In conclusion, the administration of quercetin in an ulcerative colitis model in mice presents a therapeutic/prophylactic potential that warrants further investigation.