Garlic Peel-Derived Phytochemicals Using GC-MS: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Effects in...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presenting significant clinical challenges.
• Investigating natural compounds for therapeutic potential in IBD is an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the protective effects of garlic peel extract (GPE) in an acetic acid (AA)-induced rat model of colitis.
• To identify the phytochemical composition of GPE and correlate it with observed therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

• Rats were treated orally with GPE (100 mg/kg) for 14 days before and 14 days after AA induction of colitis.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze GPE's chemical constituents.
• Biochemical markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were measured, alongside antioxidant enzyme activities and cytokine levels.

Main Results:

• GC-MS revealed GPE is rich in fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acids, and vitamins.
• GPE treatment significantly improved body weight and colon length in colitis rats.
• GPE downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, NF-κB) and oxidative stress markers (MPO, MDA), while reducing apoptosis (caspase-3).
• GPE enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels.

Conclusions:

• Garlic peel extract demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties in an experimental colitis model.
• The identified bioactive compounds in GPE may act synergistically to confer therapeutic benefits for ulcerative colitis.
• GPE represents a promising natural therapeutic agent for managing inflammatory bowel disease.