A Histological Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of the Antidepressant Fluoxetine Versus the Anti-inflammatory Sulfasalazine in Experimentally Induced Colitis in Albino Rats

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are severe chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. There is limited information about the IBD in Arab community. The growing prevalence of this disease increases both economic and health care burden. Thus, better and more affordable treatment and eventually a cure is greatly needed. IBD adversely affects the quality of life and necessitates longterm dependence on effective drugs. Mesalazine, sulfasalazine and other 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) derivatives are considered currently drugs of choice for the management of most cases. Although these drugs are effective the risk of their adverse effects is high, especially considering the chronic and relapsing nature of this condition. Therefore, the search for new safer therapies continues. The aim of the present work is to study the histological effect of the antidepressant drug (fluoxetine) versus the traditional anti-inflammatory drug (sulfasalazine) on induced colitis in albino rats.