4. Effect of piper nigrum on stomach of wistar rat

Adult male and female wistar rats (n=30) weighing between 150 g and 250 g were randomly assigned into experimental (n=24) and control (n=6) groups. The rats in the Experimental groups received a mixed diet of feed consistency of crushed piper nigrum fruits ( CPNF) to rat mash in a ratio of 50:50 (Group A-higher doses) and 25:75 (Group B- minimum doses) and water ad libitum for 3, 5 and 7 days. The rats in the control group received equal amount of rat mash without crushed piper nigrum fruits, for the same number of days. The rats were sacrificed on the 4th, 6th and 8th day. The stomach was carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formol saline for histological and histochemical procedure. The body weights of the rats were recorded before and during treatment. The Histological finding after 3 and five 5 days administration of crushed piper nigrum fruits (CPNF) showed no significant changes in the histology of the stomach. There were vacuolations in the mucosa of the stomach after 7 days administration of crushed piper nigrum fruits. The histological changes in the stomach were marked both in the experimental groups that received the higher doses (of feed consistency in the ratio of 50:50 of crushed piper nigrum fruits to rat mash) for seven days. The decrease in the body weight in the experimental groups was not significant (P>0.05). The Results shows that consumption of crushed piper nigrum fruits for three (3) is five (5) days may not be harmful, but consumption continuously for seven (7) days even when used with minimum doses may be detrimental to health.