Geraniol modulates inflammatory and antioxidant pathways to mitigate intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in male rats.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IIR/I) significantly increases morbidity and mortality. This study examines the therapeutic effects of geraniol (GNL), which is noted for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, on intestinal I/R injury in rats. Forty-nine male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into seven groups. After 30 min of ischemia and subsequent reperfusion for either 1 or 6 h, intestinal and hepatic tissues were analyzed. Biochemical assessments measured malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) activities. Inflammatory and apoptotic markers were evaluated using qRT-PCR and ELISA, and apoptotic cell rates were determined by flow cytometry. GNL treatment significantly protected intestinal and hepatic tissues, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and normalizing MDA and NO activities. It demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory effects at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses, reducing TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels while decreasing tissue MPO content. GNL also increased Bcl-2 levels and decreased Bax levels, indicating anti-apoptotic effects. Serum activities of ALT, AST, and creatine kinase were lower in GNL-treated rats, and flow cytometry showed a reduction in apoptotic cells. GNL effectively mitigated oxidative stress and histopathological damage from intestinal I/R injury by reducing pro-apoptotic markers and increasing anti-apoptotic markers, highlighting its protective effects.