Protective Effects of Cyperus esculentus against Arsenic Trioxide-induced Gastrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

The ingestion of metal particles or fumes poses a significant threat to human health, with prolonged exposure potentially causing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders and other adverse health effects. This study investigated the protective effects of ethanol tuber extract of Cyperus esculentus (ETECE) against arsenic trioxide (ATO)-induced gastrotoxicity in Wistar rats. A total of 49 adult Wistar rats (n=7) were randomly assigned to seven groups: Groups A (control), B (10 mg/kg body weight (bw) of ATO only), C (200 mg/kg bw of ETECE + ATO), D (400 mg/kg bw of ETECE + ATO), E and F (200 and 400 mg/kg bw of ETECE respectively) and G (ATO + 100 mg/kg bw of Vitamin C). Following 60 days of administration, the animals were humanely euthanized. Blood and stomach tissue were collected for oxidative stress and histopathological analyses respectively. Arsenic trioxide caused significant decreases in glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels, increased malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05), and widespread gastric mucosal necrosis and significant infiltration of inflammatory cells. Treatment with ETECE significantly improved the oxidative stress markers, while treatment with 400 mg/kg bw of ETECE substantially alleviated the detrimental histological effects. The findings of this study suggest that ETECE, at a dose of 400 mg/kg, exerts a protective effect against ATO-induced gastrotoxicity in adult Wistar rats, highlighting its potential as a gastroprotective agent at this dose.

Key Words: Cyperus esculentus; arsenic trioxide; inflammatory cells; mucosa necrosis; antioxidant.