Effects of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Asparagus Officinalis. L on Acute Colitis Induced by Acetic Acid in Rat

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestine and epithelial damage. Conventional treatments often carry limitations due to side effects, prompting interest in herbal alternatives. Asparagus officinalis L., containing flavonoids, saponins, and hydroxycinnamates, has been reported to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of aqueous (AE) and hydroalcoholic (HA) extracts of A. officinalis against colitis induced by acetic acid in rats. Methods: Fifty-four male Wistar rats were assigned to nine groups: sham, negative control, dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), and AE or HA extract treatments at doses of 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg. Colitis was induced using 3 acetic acid. After five days, colonic tissues were collected to assess macroscopic and histopathological changes, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Findings: Negative control rats demonstrated descriptively severe ulceration, inflammation, crypt damage. And Statistically elevated MPO and MDA levels. Dexamethasone treatment significantly alleviated all pathological indicators. Both AE and HA extracts provided dose-dependent protection, with higher doses (AE300, HA150, HA300) notably reducing ulcer index, histopathological colitis scores, and oxidative stress markers (P < 0.01–0.001). HA extracts showed slightly superior effects, especially at higher concentrations. Conclusion: Extracts of A. officinalis effectively mitigated acetic acid–induced colitis in rats through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. These results support the potential use of these extracts as complementary therapy for IBD, although clinical studies are required to validate efficacy and safety in humans. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.