A Comparative Study on the Ameliorative Effects of Aqueous Extract of Two Varieties of Hibiscus on the Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in Bowel Inflammation

Aim: To evaluate the ability of red and white hibiscus (H) in improving epithelial barrier indomethacin-induced duodenal colonic inflammation, compared with prebiotic to investigate whether and/or can be used as natural like agents. Methods: Histological, histomorphometric, histochemical demonstration for goblets cells mucin intensity. Immunohistochemical COX-2, tight junctions (Claudin-1 E-cadherin) were examined. Duodenal TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, PGE2, MPO, MDA, TAC, besides, serum CRP evaluated. Results: Indomethacin induced inflammation ulceration duodenum colon, significant depletion goblet cell count COX-2 was increased while claudin-1 E-cadherin significantly diminished. Tissue elevated by indomethacin, PGE2 TAC reduced. Co-treatment H, or prebiotics plus indomethacin improved histoarchitecture, tissue contents PAS cells, mucin, E-cadherin, decreased significantly, IL-10 , restored. Conclusion: The current research introduces prebiotics-like agents because their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, modulating activities.