Phytochemical analysis by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS of Globularia alypum aqueous extract and mechanism of its protective effect on experimental colitis induced by acetic acid in rat

[Display omitted] •HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis of Globularia alypum L. aqueous extract (GAAE).•GAAE protected against rectal acetic acid (AA)-induced oxidative stress.•GAAE abrogated AA-induced extensive congestion and lesions in colonic epithelium. Globularia alypum L. (GA) is a mediterranean plant of the Globulariaceae family. GA aqueous extract (GAAE) is widely used to treat various ailments, including constipation, peptic ulcer, diabetes, insomnia, hernia and intestinal pain. In this study we analyzed the chemical composition of GAAE by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS and we examined its protective effect on acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. We firstly showed that the HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis indicated high concentrations of secondary metabolites in GAAE, especially iridoids. We have also shown that rectal administration of AA provoked a severe colon mucosal injury and macroscopic edematous colon inflammation with alteration of colonic oxidative balance. However GAAE pretreatment protected significantly and dose dependently against all colonic morphological, histological and biochemical alterations induced by AA. This study suggests that GAAE possess active compounds, which exert marked protective effects in experimental colitis, possibly by regulating the colonic epithelium inflammatory mediators, oxidative balance and calcium homeostasis.