article · Inflammopharmacology
Inflammatory bowel disease involves chronic gastrointestinal inflammation with limited therapeutic solutions. This research investigated the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic extract of date palm pollen on colitis in an animal model. Colitis was chemically induced in male Wistar albino rats, which then received daily doses of date palm pollen extract at 50, 100, or 200 milligrams per kilogram over fourteen days. The treatment was evaluated against body weight loss, colon histopathology, white blood cell counts, and specific markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Colitis induction caused notable mucosal and submucosal tissue damage, elevated leukocyte counts, and raised inflammatory markers including TNF-alpha, IL-6, and NF-kappaB. Administration of the date palm pollen extract significantly reduced these inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators while improving colon tissue structure, demonstrating that the extract helps alleviate experimental colitis symptoms in vivo.
Inflammatory bowel diseases represent growing global health concerns that cause severe, chronic gastrointestinal distress. Demonstrating that an edible, traditional plant extract can curb gut inflammation and oxidative stress in animal models supports the search for naturally derived interventions. This could eventually lead to safe, supportive dietary options to help protect intestinal tissue and manage long-term gut disorders.
The findings suggest potential applications in natural dietary supplements and nutraceuticals designed to support gut health and alleviate intestinal inflammation. Potential commercial users include supplement manufacturers and functional food developers. The technology is currently at an early research stage, having been tested only in an in vivo rodent model, meaning substantial pre-clinical formulation and human clinical trials remain necessary before market entry.
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Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract with elusive causes, raising global health concerns. The date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.), recognized in traditional medicine, presents various bioactive properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, potentially benefiting gut and vascular health. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of ethanolic extracts of date palm pollen on IBD in vivo. Fifty male Wister albino rats were divided into a control group (n = 10) and colitis groups (n = 40), with colitis induced by intracolonic acetic acid administration. Following treatment with saline or date palm pollen extract (DPPE) (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for 14 days, metrics such as body weight loss, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and NF-κB), oxidative stress indicators (GST, H 2 O 2 , and MDA), colon histopathology, total leukocytes count and their differentiation, and fecal blood were evaluated. Results showed that colitis induction significantly increased leukocyte counts, pro-inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress, along with notable mucosal and submucosal damage. The treatment with DPPE substantially reduced these inflammatory markers and improved colon tissue histology. This research marks the first report of date palm pollen’s ability to ameliorate acetic acid-induced colitis in rats and suggests its potential use as a natural dietary supplement for enhancing intestinal health and reducing inflammation.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10787-026-02370-8
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