ABSTRACT
The present study aims to evaluate healing effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruit pulp (TCE) on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, intra-colonic route) induced colitis in rats. TCE (600 mg/kg, oral) was studied in TNBS-induced colitis for its effects on fecal output, food and water intake and body weight changes, histology, antibacterial activity and levels of free radicals (nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation), antioxidants (superoxide dismutase; catalase and reduced glutathione) and acute inflammatory marker (myeloperoxidase) in colonic tissue. TNBS administration increased colonic mucosal damage and inflammation (macroscopic and microscopic) and stool output but decreased body weight which was reversed by TCE treatment. TCE showed significant antibacterial activity and enhanced the antioxidants but decreased free radicals and myeloperoxidase activities affected in TNBS colitis. Thus, Terminalia chebula dried fruit pulp extract healed colitis by promoting antioxidant status and decreasing intestinal bacterial load, free radicals and myeloperoxidase responsible for tissue damage and delayed healing.