Efeito protetor do carvacrol na colite induzida por ácido acético

Abstract

The pharmacological therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases is still a challenge. Current treatment still requires new alternative options. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that carvacrol (CAR), a phenolic monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, can treat experimental colitis in mice. C57BL/6 mice (n=8/group) were submitted to intrarectal administration of acetic acid (5%) to induce colitis. Mice were pretreated with CAR (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) during three days (every 12 hours) before the induction. Abdominal hyperalgesia, macroscopic and microscopic colon damage, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tumoral necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β levels, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated. Pretreatment with all doses of CAR significantly decreased abdominal hyperalgesia and colon MPO activity and TNF-α and IL-1β levels. A reduction of macroscopic and microscopic damage (p<0.05) was observed for the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of CAR. Pretreatment with CAR significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (for all doses) and increased sulfhydryl groups (for 100 mg/kg). This effect was accompanied by a significant increase of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. These findings indicate that CAR protected mice from acetic acid-induced colitis by reduction of inflammatory, nociceptive and oxidative damages.