Rhubarb extract partially improves mucosal integrity in chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis

Figure 7 A comparison of the histological structure of ileal sections in a healthy rat (A), after administration of 5-FU (B) and rats treated with LDR + 5-FU (C). Ileum sections of rats from the LDR + 5-FU treatment group (C) exhibited improved mucosal integrity as demonstrated by more defined villi and crypts in comparison to water + 5-FU controls (B). The black line on each diagram represents villus height in each section which was significantly shorter in 5-FU controls. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and mucosal thickness was analysed by quantitative measurements of villus height and crypt depth. Original photographs were captured at 4 × magnification. LDR: Low-dose rhubarb extract.