Effects of black radish root (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) on the colon mucosa in rats fed a fat rich diet.

The effect of black radish root (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) was studied on the structure and redox state of the colon mucosa in fat-rich diet fed rats. The epithelial lining disrupted, the number of enterocytes and the goblet cells reduced and inflammatory cells were observed in rats fed with a fat-rich diet. After treatment with granules from black radish root all of the histopathological changes and parameters of the redox state caused by the fat-rich diet were improved. The structure of the epithelial cells was similar to the controls, the number of goblet cells increased and no inflammation was observed. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.