ABIODE, FRANCESS OSHIOKUWE

Green tea (camellia sinensis) is rich in bioactive compounds, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin and flavonoids. Thes constituents contribute to its well-documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties. Arsenic contamination represents a serious environmental and health hazard, particularly in developing nations where regulatory oversight of water and food quality is often lacking. Among the various organs affected, the gastrointestinal tract, especially the duodenum, is a primary site of arsenic-induced toxicity due to its direct contact with ingested substances. One of the primary mechanisms by which arsenic exerts its toxic effects is through the generation of oxidative stress, which leads to cellular injury, inflammation, and apoptosis. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis on arsenic-induced duodenal damage in adult Wistar rats. The study used adult Wistar rats that were randomly divided into six groups (A-F). The first group A(control) were given feed and water, while the rats in group B were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14days and sacrificed by cervical dislocation afterwards. The rats in group C were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and standard drugs(omeprazole) for 28 days. The rats in group D were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis 250mg/kg body weight for 28 days while group E were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis 500mg/kg body weight for 28days. The rats in group F were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg for 14days and allowed to recover for 28days. The results showed that the rats in group A (control) show normal tissue architecture with well-defined mucosal lining, crypts, lamina propria, muscularis, mucosa and submucosa. However, the rats treated with arsenic only (group B) show severe atrophy, mural infiltrates of inflammatory cells and cell congestion, similar findings were observed in group C, rats treated with omeprazole (mild degree) and the group F treated with only arsenic and allowed to recover showed comparable degrees. Also, treatment with aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis at a dose of 250mg/kg (group D), completely resolved chronic duodenitis, while high dose of 500mg/kg body weight (group E), mildly resolved chronic duodenitis. Findings also showed that there were increased oxidative stress markers in rats treated with arsenic trioxide only and similar findings was also seen in the group treated with omeprazole and the group treated with arsenic and allowed to recover. The first group(control) has great level of anti- oxidant enzymes, similar findings were observed in the groups treated with aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis. The findings in the study suggest that aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis has a protective effects against arsenic-induced duodenal injury in adult Wistar rats.