Emu Oil and zinc monoglycerolate independently reduce disease severity in a rat model of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by colonic inflammation. Previously, Emu Oil protected the intestine against experimentally-induced inflammatory intestinal disorders. Zinc monoglycerolate (ZMG) polymer, formed by heating zinc oxide with glycerol, demonstrated anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. We aimed to determine whether ZMG, alone or in combination with Emu Oil, could reduce acute colitis severity in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8/group) were orally-administered either vehicle, ZMG, Emu Oil (EO) or ZMG combined with EO (ZMG/EO) daily. Rats were provided ad libitum access to drinking water (Groups 1–4) or dextran sulphate sodium (DSS; 2%w/v; Groups 5–8) throughout the trial (days 0–5) before euthanasia on day 6. Disease activity index, crypt depth, degranulated mast cells (DMCs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed. p