Intake of Passiflora edulis leaf extract improves antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status in rats with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid induced colitis

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis leaves, which is a source of vitexin, isovitexin and isoorientin, was investigated in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid induced colitis model. The oral intake of P. edulis extract (1100 µg mL−1) improved significantly (P < 0.05) the endogenous antioxidant status and decreased lipid peroxidation in serum, liver, and colon. The consumption of P. edulis extract decreased the level of pro-inflammatory in colon tissue, especially by reducing IL-1β five-fold and TNF-α two-fold compared to the control colitis group. The extract of P. edulis leaves possessed therapeutic activity in healthy rats and in TNBS-induced colitis, especially by controlling the oxidative stress and inflammation observed in this disease.