The present study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Crataegus azarolus berries decoction extract (CAB-DE) against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis as well as the mechanisms implicated in such protection. Adult male Wistar rats were separated into seven groups: Control (H₂O), acetic acid (AA), AA + various doses of CAB-DE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, b.w.,p.o.), and AA + sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg, b.w.,p.o.) or gallic acid (50 mg/kg, b.w.,p.o.) during 10 days. All rats were kept fasting overnight and ulcerative colitis was induced by rectal infusion of AA (300 mg kg⁻¹, b.w.) (3%, v/v, 5 mL kg⁻¹ b.w), for 30 s. The colon was rapidly excised and macroscopically examined to measure ulcerated surfaces and the ulcer index. In vitro, we found that CAB-DE exhibited a high antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (IC₅₀ = 164.17 ± 4.78 μg/mL). In vivo , pretreatment with CAB-DE significantly protected the colonic mucosa against AA-induced damage by stimulating mucus secretion, reducing ulcer index as well as histopathological changes. Also, CAB-DE limited the oxidative status induced by AA in the colonic mucosa, as assessed by MDA and H₂O₂ increased levels and the depletion of both enzymatic activities and non-enzymatic levels. In addition, AA intoxication increased iron and calcium levels in colonic mucosa and plasma, while CAB-DE pretreatment regulated all intracellular mediators deregulation and significantly reduced inflammatory markers such as CRP (1.175 ± .04 ─ .734 ± .06 μg/dl) and ALP (161.53 ± 5.02 ─ 98.60 ± 4.21 UI/L) levels. We suggest that CAB-DE protected against AA-induced ulcerative colitis due in part to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent and difficult bowel movements, hard stool consistency, and delayed intestinal transit. The present study evaluated the phytochemical profile and physiological effects of the aqueous extract of beetroot leaves (AEBL) in a rat model of Loperamide (LOP)‐induced constipation. Thirty‐six male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 6): two controls (normal and constipated) and four constipated groups receiving either increasing doses of AEBL (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg, b.w.) or yohimbine (YOH; 2 mg/kg, b.w.) as a reference prokinetic agent. Treatments were administered orally 1 h after LOP intoxication for seven consecutive days. The phytochemical screening revealed that AEBL is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and betalains. Antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) demonstrated strong radical scavenging activity. In vivo, the oral administration of AEBL showed no signs of toxicity or abnormal behavior in rats, with an LD₅₀ greater than 2000 mg/kg bw. Additionally, AEBL significantly improved stool frequency and gastrointestinal motility, reduced oxidative stress, restored antioxidant defenses, rebalanced serum electrolytes, and attenuated LOP‐induced inflammation. Histological analysis confirmed enhanced mucosal integrity and preservation of colonic architecture. These results support the potential of beetroot leaf extract as a natural, multi‐targeted therapeutic strategy for alleviating constipation and associated gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

The present study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic impact of Diospyros kaki fruit aqueous extract (DKFAE) on ethanol induced peptic ulcer. The phytochemical studies of DKFAE were investigated using colorometric analysis. Gastric ulcer was induced by one dose of ethanol (5 ml/Kg, b.w) on 24 h empty stomach. Then, the plant extract (200, 400 mg/kg) was orally administrated for 2 weeks. Famotidine (FAM: 40 mg/kg, b.w.): a reference drug was also tested. The effect of mixture dose between the fruit extract and FAM (DKFAE, 50 mg/kg PC, p.o. + FAM, 50 mg/kg PC, p.o.) was also evaluated. One hour after induction of ulcer blood samples were collected, stomach acidity and volume, as well as lesion counts were measured, then stomach and intestine of scarified rats were subjected to biochemical, macroscopic and microscopic studies. Results showed that DKFAE exhibited an important antioxidant potential. In vivo, the results showed that alcohol induced gastric damage, improving oxidative stress markers level such as MDA and H2O2, gastric and intestinal calcium and free iron. The intoxication by ethanol also produce an inflammation occurred by high level of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in plasma. In contrast, DKFAE and the mixture dose significantly protect against macroscopic and histological injuries, the secretory profile disturbances, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes activities and non enzymatic antioxidant level decrease induced by ethanol administration. More impressively, the mixture dose exerted the more excellent effect than DKFAE and famotidine each alone showing is possible synergism.

Wild Laurus nobilis fruits, a well‐known dietary plant, have been documented to alleviate cardiopathy associated with pulmonary fibrosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unspecified. This current study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of wild L. nobilis fruits aqueous extract (LNAE) in mitigating pulmonary fibrosis‐induced cardiopathy (PFC) in the bleomycin (BLEM) model. Six groups of male rats were included: control, BLEM‐treated group, LNAE‐treated (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg followed by BLEM), and gallic acid. In PFC, instillation of BLEM resulted in a significant increase in relative heart weight, associated with a marked elevation in creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, as well as increased plasma levels of blood troponin, pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (pro‐BNP), and CRP. However, treatment with LNAE significantly attenuated these alterations. Additionally, exposure to BLEM enhanced oxidative stress, lipo‐peroxidation, and the levels of certain intracellular mediators in both plasma and tissue, and caused histological damage in the heart. More importantly, treatments with LNAE improved all these physiological and biochemical parameters. This study highlights the synergistic potential of phytoactive compounds in LNAE to alleviate heart conditions. These findings support the development of plant‐based nutritional therapy as a novel strategy for the management of cardiovascular disorders.