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The Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Ajwa Date Fruit Extract Against Acute Diclofenac Toxicity-Induced
Shaimaa Mohamed Abdelfattah Hassan1, Moutasem Salih Aboonq2, Emad A Albadawi3
1Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.
Background:
Studies regarding treatment of acute toxicity with diclofenac (ATD) are quite few. Diclofenac is commonly prescribed in neurology, psychiatry, and general medicine practice. This study investigated possible colon-protective effects exerted by Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE), a prophetic medicine remedy native to Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia against ATD. Phytochemicals in ADFE as gallic acid and quercetin have reported protective effects against ATD.
Methods:
Total phenols and flavonoids in ADFE were estimated as equivalents to gallic acid and quercetin. Four experimental groups were allocated each of six rats: control group, ATD group received a single dose of 150 mg diclofenac intraperitoneally, toxicity prevention group received a single dose of ADFE orally followed 4 hours later by diclofenac injection, and toxicity treatment group received a similar diclofenac dose followed 4 hours later by a single dose of ADFE. Four days later, animals were sacrificed. Histological and biochemical examinations were done.
Results:
ADFE has a total phenolic content of 331.7 gallic acid equivalent/gram extract and a total flavonoid content of 70.23 quercetin equivalent/gram. ATD significantly increased oxidative stress markers as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Serum MDA and H2O2 were significantly scavenged by ADFE. ATD significantly (p<0.001) decreased antioxidant power as serum total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. That was reversed by ADFE in both prevention and treatment groups. Histologically, ATD caused complete destruction of colonic crypts architecture, patchy loss of the crypts, loss of the surface epithelium, absent goblet cells and submucosal exudate, heavy infiltration of the lamina propria and submucosa with inflammatory cells, mainly lymphocytes and eosinophils. There were mucosal haemorrhages and submucosal dilated congested blood vessels. All that was prevented and treated using ADFE.
Conclusion:
ADFE is rich in quercetin and gallic acid equivalents that exert potent antitoxic effects. ADFE is strongly recommended for preventive and therapeutic colon effects against ATD.
Insights
Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE) protects the colon against diclofenac toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This natural remedy, rich in gallic acid and quercetin, is recommended for both preventing and treating colon damage from diclofenac.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Diclofenac is a commonly prescribed NSAID with limited studies on its acute toxicity treatment.
- Acute toxicity with diclofenac (ATD) can affect various organs, necessitating protective strategies.
- Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE), a traditional remedy, contains phytochemicals like gallic acid and quercetin with potential therapeutic benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the colon-protective effects of Ajwa date fruit extract (ADFE) against acute toxicity induced by diclofenac (ATD).
- To evaluate the potential of ADFE as a preventive and therapeutic agent for diclofenac-induced colon damage.
Main Methods:
- Phytochemical analysis of ADFE for total phenols and flavonoids.
- Experimental groups of rats were subjected to control, ATD, ATD + ADFE (prevention), and ATD + ADFE (treatment) protocols.
- Histological and biochemical analyses were performed to assess colon damage, oxidative stress markers (MDA, H2O2), and antioxidant capacity (catalase).
Main Results:
- ADFE demonstrated significant scavenging of oxidative stress markers (MDA, H2O2) and restoration of antioxidant capacity (catalase).
- Histological examination revealed that ADFE prevented and treated diclofenac-induced damage, including crypt destruction, inflammation, and vascular changes in the colon.
- ADFE administration significantly reversed the adverse effects of ATD on biochemical and histological parameters.
Conclusions:
- ADFE, rich in gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, exhibits potent antitoxic effects against diclofenac-induced colon damage.
- ADFE is a promising agent for both preventive and therapeutic interventions against acute toxicity with diclofenac (ATD).
- The findings support the traditional use of Ajwa dates and suggest their utility in managing NSAID-induced gastrointestinal toxicity.
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