THE EFFECT OF Tetrapleura tetraptera FRUIT AND Jathropa curcas LEAVESEXTRACT ON THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF WISTARRATS
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Herbal remedies are widely utilized in traditional medicine, but scientific validation of theirsafety, particularly in combination, remains limited. This study investigated the gastrointestinal histopathological effects of aqueous extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit and Jatrophacurcasleaves in female Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult rats (107–155 g) were assigned into four groups(n = 6): Group A (control) received feed and water only; Group B received T. tetrapteraextract
(200 mg/kg); Group C received J. curcas extract (400 mg/kg); and Group Dreceivedbothextracts concurrently at the same doses. Treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutivedays. Parameters assessed included body weight, organ weight, fecal occult blood, andhistopathological evaluation of the stomach, small intestine and rectum. Statistical analysisrevealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in body weight, organ weight, or fecal occult bloodamong the experimental groups. Histological findings showed that both T. tetrapteraandJ. curcas extracts preserved normal gastrointestinal cytoarchitecture, with intact epithelial linings, well-organized lamina propria, and continuous muscularis mucosae. The small andlargeintestines displayed healthy villi and abundant goblet cells without evidence of necrosis, erosion, or inflammatory infiltration. However, sections of the stomach from the combined-extract grouprevealed mild gastric erosion with focal epithelial disruption and minimal inflammatorycell presence. These findings indicate that while aqueous extracts of T. tetraptera and J. curcas areindividually safe at the tested doses, their concurrent administration may induce mildgastricirritation, suggesting a possible herb–herb interaction. Further phytochemical and chronictoxicity studies are recommended to clarify the mechanisms of interaction and establishsafeusage parameters for polyherbal formulations containing these species.
(200 mg/kg); Group C received J. curcas extract (400 mg/kg); and Group Dreceivedbothextracts concurrently at the same doses. Treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutivedays. Parameters assessed included body weight, organ weight, fecal occult blood, andhistopathological evaluation of the stomach, small intestine and rectum. Statistical analysisrevealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in body weight, organ weight, or fecal occult bloodamong the experimental groups. Histological findings showed that both T. tetrapteraandJ. curcas extracts preserved normal gastrointestinal cytoarchitecture, with intact epithelial linings, well-organized lamina propria, and continuous muscularis mucosae. The small andlargeintestines displayed healthy villi and abundant goblet cells without evidence of necrosis, erosion, or inflammatory infiltration. However, sections of the stomach from the combined-extract grouprevealed mild gastric erosion with focal epithelial disruption and minimal inflammatorycell presence. These findings indicate that while aqueous extracts of T. tetraptera and J. curcas areindividually safe at the tested doses, their concurrent administration may induce mildgastricirritation, suggesting a possible herb–herb interaction. Further phytochemical and chronictoxicity studies are recommended to clarify the mechanisms of interaction and establishsafeusage parameters for polyherbal formulations containing these species.
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