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.