The Faculty of Pharmacy discussed the Master’s Degree thesis, tagged Evaluation of the Effect of Ellagic Acid on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis in Mice Models,” by Dareen Mahmood Hassan and her supervisor, Assistant Professor Dr. Munaf H. Zalzala, of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, on July 20, 2023. This study was designed to investigate the evaluation effect of ellagic acid against intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice. Evaluating some selected antioxidant and pro-inflammatory markers in mice tissue, complete blood picture, body weight, and diarrhea score in mice, in addition to mice intestine tissue histopathology.Results showed there was a change in body weight and diarrhea score in group II with a significant elevation (P<0.05) in tissue activity of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF) and lipid peroxidation marker (MDA). Significant decrease (P<0.05) of the intestinal antioxidant activity (SOD, GSH) compared with group I The histological duodenum sections of group II showed villi shortening, disruption in the shape of them, necrosis, and edema in the muscular layers. Group III produced a decrease in body weight and diarrhea score and a non-significant difference (P > 0.05) in the tissue of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and antioxidant activity compared to group I. Group IV in this study showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the level of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) compared with Group II, but in less effect than Group III. We also noticed a significant elevation in the level of antioxidant activity in the tissue of mice compared with Group II. Additionally, there were improvements in the diarrhea score and histological examination of the mouse tissue compared with group II.
