Histological Study of the Possible Protective Effect of Royal Jelly on Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sodium Sulfate in Adult Male Albino Rat

Abstract
Background: Ulcerative colitis is a major health problem and its occurrence is progressively increasing around the world. Royal Jelly is widely used up in diets all over the world due to its beneficial effects: Antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory.
Aim: This work aimed to investigate whether an oral pretreatment with Royal Jelly would have any effect on rats submitted to ulcerative colitis using different histological techniques.
Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into control, Royal Jelly (RJ) (received 100mg/kg/day royal jelly orally for two weeks), Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) (received orally 5ml DSS 5% daily for seven days for induction of ulcerative colitis) and (DSS & RJ) (received royal jelly 7 days before induction of ulcerative colitis and continued during the induction period) groups. Colon speci-mens were processed for light and electron microscopic examinations. Quantitative assessment and statistical analysis were done for the mean number of goblet cells and the mean color intensity of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2).
Results: Light microscopic examination of DSS group revealed desquamated epithelial cells, erosions, heavy mono-nuclear cellular infiltration, dilated congested vessels and abnormal shaped crypts. Statistical results revealed significant decreased goblet cell number and significant increased color intensity of COX-2 immune reaction in comparison to control group. Electron microscopic examination revealed shrunken cells, focal loss of microvilli, widening of intercellular spaces, cytoplasmic vacuolation, irregular nuclei and inflammatory cellular infiltration. DSS & RJ group revealed preserved mucosal architecture, statistically nonsignificant difference in mean goblet cell number but significant increase in color intensity of COX-2 immune reaction in comparison to control group.
Conclusion: Royal jelly reduced histological alterations in induced ulcerative colitis.