Effect of supplementing fava bean (Vicia faba L.) on ulcerative colitis and colonic mucosal DNA content in rats fed a high-sucrose diet

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease with high morbidity. Acetic acid-induced damage of colonic mucosa in rats is a commonly used experimental animal model of UC. This research aimed to explore for the first time the ameliorative effect of dietary supplementation with fava bean on the incidence of UC in rats fed with sucrose containing diet. Rats were divided into five groups as follows: G1, control healthy rats; G2, colitic rats; G3, colitic rats fed diets containing 30% sucrose, G4, healthy rats fed diets containing 30% sucrose and G5, colitic rats fed diets containing 30% sucrose supplemented with dried ground fava bean. Colonic injury and inflammation were evaluated through a disturbance of oxidative biomarkers, a significant increase in inflammatory biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines, and histological abnormalities in colonic tissues accompanied by colonic mucosal DNA damage. Colitic rats fed on sucrose containing diet demonstrated additional histological, biochemical, and DNA alterations in colonic mucosa of rats. Dietary supplementation with dried ground fava bean significantly corrected the impaired oxidative and inflammatory biomarker levels and modulated histological features and DNA alterations. Finally, fava bean attenuated the oxidative damage and colonic injury induced by acetic acid, which confirmed its high anti-oxidant and anti-incendiary properties.