Hydroalcoholic extract of Tagetes erecta L. flowers, rich in the carotenoid lutein, attenuates inflammatory cytokine secretion and improves the oxidative stress in an animal model of ulcerative colitis.

Given the role of oxidative stress in ulcerative colitis (UC) etiology, and the amount of lutein (a carotenoid with antioxidant properties) in the dry hydroalcoholic extract of Tagetes erecta flowers (DHETE), this study investigated the intestinal anti-inflammatory properties of DHETE in an animal model of UC. The amount of lutein in the extract was determined by H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and total phenols, radical scavenger capability, cytotoxicity, and effects on reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production were evaluated in vitro. Experimental UC was established by adding 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to drinking water, with the effects of DHETE (30-300 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days) on the morphological (colon length and weight), clinical (disease activity index and body weight loss), microscopic (histological score and mucin levels), and biochemical parameters analyzed.