IMAFIDON

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.

Gastric damage is a common phenomenon in this part of the world, with about 70%–80% of the population having this issue. These have raised major concerns among experts in the medical field. The project “Investigating the Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Camellia sinensis on Arsenic-Induced Gastric Damage in Adult Wistar Rats” aims to investigate the protective effects of aqueous leaf of camellia sinensis in arsenic-induced stomach damage in adult wistar rats. This study is an experimental research design that involves the use of 30 adult wistar rats, which were randomly divided into six groups (A-F). Group A served as the control group, Group B (Arsenic only), Group C (Arsenic+ Omeprazole), Group D(Arsenic+ low dose of extract), Group E(Arsenic+ high dose of extract) and Group F(Arsenic and left to recover). The rats were given water and feed ad libitum only for 14 days for acclimatization. Thereafter, the five treatment groups were given arsenic trioxide (10mg/kg) orally for 14 days to induce gastric damage. Group B rats were sacrificed for pilot study. Group C received Omeprazole(500mg/kg) for 28 days, Group D was administered low dose of the extract(250mg/kg) for 28 days, Group E received a high dose of the extract 500mg/kg) for 28 days also while the last group was left to recover without administering any extract and thereafter sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The results showed that rats treated with arsenic only had statistically significant decrease in body weight compared to the control group while the rats treated with camellia sinensis (250mg/kg) had statistically significant increase in weight compared to the rats in Group B. The rats in Group B had statistically significant decrease in organ weight compared to the control group. Group D had a significant increase in the organ weight compared to Group B. The antioxidant result showed a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase and gluthaione peroxidase level and a significant decrease in malondialadehyde level in Group C, D and E. The histology results showed crater-shaped ulcers in the rats given arsenic toxin only. Normal mucosal lining was seen in the control group as well as in those given arsenic with omeprazole (the standard anti-ulcer drug). The rats given low and high doses of camellia sinensis showed pitting mucosal lining, with those given low doses having better ameliorative effects compared to those given high dose. The last group (reversal group), which were given only arsenic and left to recover, showed severe mucosal erosion. In conclusion, the research findings suggest that camellia sinensis (green tea) has the potential to mitigate arsenic-induced gastric damage in adult wistar rat.