EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF NYMPHAEA NOUCHALI FLOWER EXTRACT ON ULCERATIVE COLITIS IN WISTAR RATS

Farzana Khan, Yadav Yashraj*, Dishant Gupta

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa, leading to significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. Although conventional therapies are effective, their long-term use is often associated with adverse effects, creating a need for safer and more effective alternatives. Nymphaea nouchali (blue water lily) is a medicinal plant rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of the ethanolic flower extract of Nymphaea nouchali against experimentally induced ulcerative colitis in Wistar rats. The flowers of Nymphaea nouchali were subjected to ethanolic extraction and the extract was administered to rats with experimentally induced ulcerative colitis. The protective efficacy of the extract was assessed through biochemical and histopathological parameters, including levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and microscopic examination of colonic tissues. Oxidative stress markers and tissue morphology were evaluated to determine the extent of colonic injury and recovery. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic flower extract significantly prevented the depletion of glutathione and reduced elevated malondialdehyde levels, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Histopathological examination revealed regeneration of the colonic mucosa, improvement in villus architecture, and restoration of collagen fibres in the submucosal layer. These findings suggest a marked protective effect of the extract against ulcerative colitis–induced tissue damage. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of Nymphaea nouchali flowers exhibited significant anti-ulcerative colitis activity in Wistar rats, likely mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study supports the potential use of Nymphaea nouchali as a natural therapeutic candidate for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases and warrants further investigation to identify its active constituents and clinical applicability.