The protective and healing effects of a natural antioxidant
formulation based on ubiquinol and Aloe vera against
dextran sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats
Issue title: The Third Conference of the International CoQ10
Association
Affiliations: Department of Molecular Biology, Russian State Medical
University, Ostrovityanova 1, Moscow 117513, Russia | Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Via Monti di
Creta 104, I-000167 Rome, Italy
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Prof. Ludmila Korkina MD, PhD, Dr.
Sci., Head, Dept. Molecular Biology, Russian State Medical University, 1
Ostrovityanova, 117513 Moscow, Russia. Tel.: +7095 434 7187; Fax: +7095 434
7187; E-mail: korkin@aha.ru
Abstract: Oxygen/nitrogen reactive species (ROS/RNS) are currently implicated
in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, drawing attention on the potential
prophylactic and healing properties of antioxidants, scavengers, chelators. We
evaluated the possible protective/curative effects of a natural antioxidant
preparation based on Aloe vera and ubiquinol, against intestinal
inflammation, lesions, and pathological alterations of the intestinal
electrophysiological activity and motility, in a rat model of DSS-induced
colitis. 5% dextrane sulfate (DDS) (3 days), followed by 1% DSS (4 days) was
administered in drinking water. The antioxidant formulation (25 mg/kg) was
delivered with a pre-treatment protocol, or simultaneously or post-colitis
induction. Spontaneous and acetylcholine-stimulated electrical activity were
impaired in the small intestine and in distal colon, upon exposure to DSS only.
Severe inflammation occurred, with increased myeloperoxidase activity, and
significant alterations of the oxidant/antioxidant status in colonic tissue and
peritoneal cells. Lipoperoxidation, superoxide production, glutathione
peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities, and reduced glutathione
content increased, whilst superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were
sharply suppressed in colon tissue. ROS/RNS formation in peritoneal cells was
strongly inhibited. Inflammation, electrical/mechanical impairment in the gut,
and a great majority of oxidative stress parameters were improved substantially
by pre-treatment with the antioxidant preparation, but not by simultaneous
administration or post-treatment.
