Beta-Chitosane as a Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis: Therapeutic Effectiveness and Possible Mechanisms of Action

Purpose: Colitis is a widespread inflammatory bowel disease with heterogeneous etiology (genetic and immunological). It is treated with drugs such as steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that, in the long term, can cause side effects. For this reason, the exploitation of natural resources to combat this type of disease is the concern of researchers. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the anti-colitis (anti-inflammatory) effect of β-Chitosane induced in albino mice by acetic acid (5%). Methods: Mices were separated into six groups: the witness (untreated and not ulcerated), negative control group (ulcerated and untreated), the positive control ulcerated and treated with the Dexaméthasone® (1 mg/kg), and test groups ulcerated and treated with different doses of β-Chitosane (0.5 g/ kg; 0.75 g/ kg and 1 g/ kg) for the entire treatment estimated to six-days. β-Chitosane efficacy was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic scores. Results: The clinical scores showed that β-Chitosane with a dose of 1 g/kg for the entire treatment significantly reduced the damage caused by acetic acid with a score of (3.41 ± 1.45) compared to those of the positive control which reduced less the inflammation (6.26 ± 1.23). The histological study of the colons was able to validate the effect of β-Chitosane by decreasing neutrophil infiltration and ulceration in the colon as well as by structural recovery of the mucosa. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that β-Chitosane has a protective effect against ulcerative colitis that may be due to its antioxidant, anti infectious, anti-inflammatory and healing activities.