Protective effects of Aphanizomenon Flose-Aquae (AFA) extract on experimental colitis in rat

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic immune disorders, which necessitate long-term dependence on powerful drugs. Recently, the use of natural product-based therapies has emerged as a promising intervention for IBD. Aphanizomenon flose-aquae (AFA) is a unicellular bluegreen microalgae, traditionally used for its health-enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; we aimed to evaluate its protective effects on animal model of experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in rat by intracolonic instillation of 15 mg of 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). Rats received AFA (100 mg/kg/d) by oral route, 4 days before and 6 days after colitis induction. The effects of AFA on D…