SILVANUS O. INNIH

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) is an environmental toxicant and a chemotherapeutic agent, whose efficacy is shadowed by its significant adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system. The large intestine, or colon, is a primary target for its toxicity, experiencing a cascade of damage from the cellular to the organ level. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus against arsenic trioxide induced damage on the large intestine across group of adult Wistar rats. 20 adult wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, each group containing 5 rats. Group A served as control while B, C, and D served as treatment groups. The wistar rats were fed with grower mash feeds and the rats had free access to water throughout the entire study period. Group A was the control and was administered 1ml of distilled water. Group B was administered Arsenic trioxide only (10mg). Group C was administered Arsenic trioxide (10mg) and a low dose of Cyperus esculentus (200mg). Group D also received arsenic trioxide (10mg) and a high dose of Cyperus esculentus (400mg). At the end of the administration period, the rats were anesthetized using chloroform. The large intestine was harvested and weighed and immediately fixed in formal-saline to avoid autolysis and taken through tissue processing. The result shows that, the control group (group A) showed normal large intestinal architecture. The Group B was given Arsenic trioxide only produced extensive mucosal necrosis and inflammatory bodies. Group B was observed extensive mucosal necrosis and heavy mucosal infiltrates of inflammatory bodies without much difference from Group C. Group C was better than Group B with some observable difference. Group D gave the best observable difference and results of all having ameliorated the harmful effects of Arsenic trioxide. There was a significant decrease of final weight in Group B. There was a significant increase in the gastrointestinal weight of Group D. Across the group there was an increase in the final weight of experimental animal when compared to their initial weights except for Group B. Therefore, Cyperus esculentus appears to effectively mitigate the harmful effects of arsenic trioxide exposure, offering a promising therapeutic approach for reducing mucosal damage and inflammation