THERAPEUTIC AND ANTAGONIST VILLI INSURGENCY OF GARCINIA KOLA ON ACETIC ACID INDUCED EROSIVE SMALL INTESTINAL ULCER OF WISTAR ALBINO RATS MODEL
Authors: Godwin Ilegbedion, Ikhide , Kester Digban Awharentoma , Sylvanus Beredugo , Prudence Okara, Nkemdinim , Elaye Odisi, Nelson 
Published: August 2024

The small bowel, also known as the small intestine, is a key component of the digestive system responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption from food. Positioned between the stomach and the large intestine, it receives digestive enzymes from bile and pancreatic juice via the pancreatic duct. The small intestine measures approximately 18 feet (6.5 meters) in length and is intricately folded to fit within the abdominal cavity. The Garcinia Kola plant was recognized by the Department of Pharmacology at Niger Delta University, located on Wilberforce Island, Amasomma, Bayelsa State. The seeds of this plant were collected from Amasomma and subjected to a drying process under natural sunlight for 14 days. Subsequently, they were ground into a fine powder and distributed into various beakers. After allowing the mixture to settle for three days, it was filtered using Watchman's No. 1 filter paper. For this research, thirty albino rats with weights ranging from 150g ± 3.5 to 205g ± 2.6 were utilized. These rats were sourced from the animal facility of the Pharmacology Department at Niger Delta University. They were kept in a controlled environment with temperatures maintained between 20°C and 27°C and a 12-hour cycle of light and darkness. The rats were grouped and provided with standard feed pellets from Guinea Feed Nigeria Plc and unlimited access to clean water for the duration of the study, which included a two-week acclimatization period. The handling of the animals adhered to the institution's guidelines for animal experimentation. The study spanned two months, with an initial four-week acclimatization phase. Post-acclimatization, the 30 rats were randomly assigned to seven groups (A to G). Group A (control) received a diet of pelleted growers feed (mash) and water. Group B (chronic exposure group) was given 1ml of 4% acetic acid orally, along with the standard diet, for 30 days. Group C (subchronic exposure group) received the same acetic acid treatment for 14 days. Groups D and E (sub-chronic exposure groups) were treated with acetic acid and varying doses of Garcinia Kola extract for 14 days. Groups F and G (chronic exposure groups) underwent a similar regimen with Garcinia Kola extract for 30 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were euthanized using chloroform anesthesia, and vital organs were harvested and preserved in 10% formalin. The tissues underwent standard histological processing and were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin at the Histopathology laboratory of the Niger Delta Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Okolobiri. Histological examination revealed that the control group's villi and submucosal walls remained intact. However, plates 4.2 to 4.4 displayed erosion of the submucosal layer, interruption of the villi, and aggregation of white blood cells. Plate 4.5 indicated mild erosion of the mucosal layer and the presence of inflammatory cells. The findings suggest that oral ingestion of acetic acid for 30 days can cause inflammation and necrosis in the stomach tissues of lab animals. Additionally, it was noted that administering Garcinia Kola seed extract alone had minimal impact on the animals' histology.