Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Goat Milk Against Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rat Model

The current study evaluated the protective and antioxidant effects of goat milk, alone and in combination with sulfasalazine (SAZ), against acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups with six rats in each group. UC was induced using 3% AA, administered intrarectally (IR) at a dose of 3 mL per rat once daily for the first three consecutive days of the experiment. Goat milk and SAZ treatments were administered orally (p.o.) for 21 days. Group I served as the normal control group and received a basal diet without UC induction. Group II was the positive control group and received 3% AA (3 mL/rat, IR) without any treatment. Group III received AA (IR) and goat milk at a dose of 40 mL/kg body weight (p.o.). Group IV received a combination of goat milk (40 mL/kg body weight, p.o.) and SAZ (250 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) following AA induction. Group V was administered AA (IR) and treated with SAZ alone at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight (p.o.). Biochemical analysis showed that goat milk, especially in combination with SAZ, significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and elevated antioxidant enzyme levels including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05). Hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) counts improved, while elevated white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the treatment groups. Histopathological examination confirmed attenuated mucosal damage, inflammation, and crypt distortion, with the most pronounced recovery observed in the combination therapy group. The outcome suggested that goat milk, particularly when combined with SAZ, exerts protective effects against AA-induced colonic inflammation. The anti-colitis effect may be due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of goat milk.