Pistacia atlantica gum and ulcerative colitis: From hypothesis to reality

Salimi-Sabour, Ebrahim; Nikkhah, Alireza; Eslami Mahmoudabadi, Mostafa

doi:10.30491/ijtmgh.2025.527812.1489

Pistacia atlantica gum and ulcerative colitis: From hypothesis to reality

Document Type : Policy Briefs

Authors

Ebrahim Salimi-Sabour ¹

Alireza Nikkhah ²

Mostafa Eslami Mahmoudabadi ²

¹ Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.30491/ijtmgh.2025.527812.1489

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by secretory and motility dysfunctions of the intestinal tract. Conventional pharmacological therapies are often associated with significant side effects and impose high costs on patients. In recent years, natural compounds have gained attention as complementary treatments. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Pistacia atlantica gum extract on histopathological and immunological markers in an experimental model of UC. The results demonstrated that Pistacia atlantica gum extract, administered either before or after disease induction, significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory mediators and cytokines compared to the positive control group. Overall, our findings suggest that Pistacia atlantica gum extract alleviates the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in this experimental model. It may serve as a promising complementary treatment option for UC patients; however, further molecular investigations are required to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Keywords

Pistacia atlantica

Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammation

Cytokines

Herbal Therapy