THE IMPACT OF DIETARY SEEDS ON THE GUT TISSUE AND SMALL INTESTINE OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) INDUCED WISTAR RATS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal problem physically affecting the lives of many. The study assessed the impact of IBS inducement, and evaluated the significant of chia; flax and fenugreek seeds on the oxidative stress, small intestine and colon tissue of IBS induced wistar rats. Six groups of experimental rats were caged (6 per cage) and feed with normal rats pallets and water for 2 weeks after which five groups (2-6) were induced with 1ml of 4% acetic acid while the colon was flushed almost immediately with 1ml phosphate buffered saline. Group 3, 4, 5, 6 were feed with chai seed, flaxseed, fenugreek and rats pallet for 3 weeks. The animals were sacrifice to collect blood, colon, and small intestine samples. Observed findings indicated IBS symptoms, such as hard and pebble-like stool consistency (Group 2), Group 3 exhibited watery stools, and Group 4 showed soft stools before treatment. Upon treatment, Groups 3, 5, and 6 demonstrated significant improvements, with stools becoming more formed and consolidated. The oxidative stress analysis showed that the total protein levels was highest in Group 2. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were highest in Group 6, followed by Group 1 (not induced). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was highest in Group 1, while Group 2 showed the lowest activity. Histological morphology revealed normal intestinal architecture in Group 1, whereas Group 2 (induced not treated) exhibited crypt distortion, vacuolation, and villous shortening. The effectiveness of the treatment was highest in Group 3 (rat pallet 3: chia seed 1), followed by group 5 (rat pallet 3: fenugreek 1), group 6 (chia seed 15: flaxseed 15: Fenugreek seed 15: rat pallets 55) and then group 4 (rat pallet 3: flaxseed 1). These findings suggest potential therapeutic effects of the seeds in managing IBS symptoms and intestinal health.