Fresh Beetroot Juice Alleviates Combined Ulcerative Colitis and Constipation by Restoring Physiological and Biochemical Balances in a Murine Model

BACKGROUND: Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is well known for its medicinal uses, particularly in managing gastrointestinal disorders. This study investigates the protective effects of fresh red beet juice (FBRJ) on gastrointestinal complications caused by co-administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and loperamide (LOP), which induce ulcerative colitis and constipation, respectively. METHODS: Adult rats were divided into groups and subjected to a 7-day treatment with 5% DSS to induce ulcerative colitis, followed by LOP (3 mg/kg, body weight [b.w.]) for 7 days to cause constipation. FBRJ (5 and 10 mL/kg, b.w.) or yohimbine (YOH) (2 mg/kg, b.w.) was administered 1 h after LOP each day for 7 days. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated based on macroscopic and histological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, gastric emptying, gastrointestinal transit, oxidative stress parameters, and inflammatory markers. KEY RESULTS: FBRJ significantly alleviated gastrointestinal dysfunctions caused by DSS and/or LOP, improving both gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Specifically, compared with the ulcerative/constipated group, the animals treated with the FBRJ showed a significant increase (52.43% ± 4.65% to 66.23% ± 6.78%) of gastric emptying (GE) andgastrointestinal transit (GIT: 48.08% ± 3.32% to 62.46% ± 4.98%) in a dose-dependent manner. It also modulated antioxidant defense systems by inducing enzyme activities and reducing lipid peroxidation, which had been significantly disrupted by the combined effects of DSS and LOP. Furthermore, inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and white blood cell counts, were significantly reduced in both plasma and colonic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS AND INTERFERENCES: We suggest that FBRJ significantly protects against DSS-induced colitis and LOP-induced constipation, involving several mechanisms such as increasing secretion and peristaltic activity, reducing inflammation, and preserving the antioxidant properties.