Study of intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of Phoenix loureiroi Kunth (Arecaceae) fruit

Phoenix loureiroi Kunth belongs to the family Arecaceae, the fruits are widely consumed by Kurumba and Irula tribes of Tamil Nadu (India) and also used to cure intestinal related diseases in folklore medicine. Therefore, in vivo animal studies were evaluated to confirm the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the treatment of this plant fruits. The IBD was studied in Wistar albino rats by indomethacin (s.c.), acetic acid (i.c.) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced models. The diseases parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic features, serum biomarkers levels, haematological profile, biochemical and antioxidant levels were determined. The fruit extract (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) treated enterocolitis rats significantly retain their body weight, organ weight, stool consistency, macroscopic score, histology, haematological parameters, antioxidative enzyme levels and also reduce the serum marker levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity compared to prednisolone (2mg/kg) and sulfasalazine (50mg/kg) drugs. In conclusion, regular consumption of P. loureiroi fruit may prevent IBD and strongly support the folklore use of fruit in the treatment of intestinal ailments.