Toria Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Solanum Aethiopicum commonly called African eggplant or garden egg is
among the oldest vegetables indigenous to tropical Africa (Ogunka et al.,
2018). It is widely cultivated across West Africa especially for the
nutritional, medicinal and economic value of its leaves and fruits
(Anosike et al., 2012). The mature fruits are used as cooked vegetables in
stews and sometimes eaten raw. The leaves and shoots are used as cooked
vegetables. Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria traditionally welcome
visitors by offering them the fruits. The leaves of Solanum Aethiopicum
are eaten as leafy vegetables and are actually more nutritious than the
fruits (Ibiam and Nwigwe, 2013). The leaves are usually harvested while
still green, they are picked from the same plant that provides the fruits or
from a special leafy cultivars. Fruits from bitter cultivar are used as
medicine in many African countries ( Doganlar et al., 2002).
Medicinal applications include the use of the roots and fruits as
carminative and sedative, and to treat coelic problems and high blood
pressure, leaf juice as a sedative to treat uterine complaints, a methanolic
extracts of leaves as a sedative, anti-emetic, anti-ulcerative and to treat
tetanus after abortion and crushed and macerated fruits as an enema
(Lester and Thitai, 1998).

Muller et al., (2005) reported that saponins contributes largely to the
foam that arises when the leaves are boiled and should be carefully
skimmed off.
As a traditional food plant in Africa, the little known vegetable has a
potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, hinder gastric ulcers,
foster rural development and support sustainable land care (Daunay et al.,
2006). Solanum Aethiopicum is a wonderful source of potassium,
manganese, copper, dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, niacin, vitamin B1,
B12,C and K (in snacks quantities) (Olaiya, 2000; Fasuyi, 2006). Aside
from their nutritional roles in complimenting staple foods to form
balanced diet, they also influence biochemical parameters in the body
(Sofawara, 1993) such as influences when positive helps the body to fight
many disease conditions ( Elujoba et al., 2005).
Report has shown that Solanum Aethiopicum possess ulcer protecting
properties against experimentally induced ulcer in rats ( Ezeugwu et al.,
2004), has reducing effect in lipid profile of albino wistar rats induced
lipidemia ( Nwodo et al., 2013) and showed weight reducing effect as
well as hypolipidemia population ( Ossamul et al., 2014).
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that can have harmful effect on the
stomach when ingested in high quantities thereby causing irritation and
inflammation of the stomach linings( Koyama and Tsuchiya, 1962),
damage to mucosal barrier of the stomach, interference with the

absorption of essential nutrients, disruption of the normal digestive
process which can cause diarrhea and increase risk of stomach cancer
with long term exposure to high level of cadmium ( Jin and Nordberg,
1998; Satarug et al., 2010).
1.2 Statement of the problem
Due to rapid industrialization and overgrowing urbanization, the effect of
cadmium on human health has become a major concern showing that
approximately 21.000 - 64,000 death per year are attributable to cadmium
exposure from environmental and occupational sources (World Health
Organization, 2012). This can also account for bio-accumulation of other
toxic metals. Many individual are exposed to this harmful element
sometimes consciously or unconsciously without knowing the adverse
effect as it does not manifest immediately but accumulates over years
causing various health problems such as stomach ulcers, inflammation
and cancer (Wang and Du, 2007). However there is limited research on
the potential protective effect of natural substance against cadmium-
induced stomach damages. The current study aims to investigate the
ameliorative effect of solanum aethiopicum (garden egg leaf) methanolic
extract on the histology of the stomach of albino wistar rat induced with
cadmium toxicity.
1.3 Aim and objectives of the study
This study aims at investigating the ameliorative effect of solanum

aethiopicum (garden egg leaf) methanolic extract on the histology of the
stomach of albino wistar rat induced with cadmium toxicity.
To meet the aim of this study, the research will focus on the following
objectives;
I．Examine the effect of solanum aethiopicum methanolic extract on
the histology of albino wistar induced with cadmium
II．Determine the morphology of the wister rats induced with
cadmium toxicity under the microscope
III．Make recommendations on the impact of this extract from the
result gathered.
1.4 Significance of the study
Researches are generally conducted to provide knowledgeable, answers
and solutions to tackle a particular problems. In concurrence with other
literature solanum aethiopicum has been proven to have wide range of
therapeutic and ameliorative functions which include; antioxidants,
antibacterial, ulcer protective properties, ant-inflammatory properties
which makes it suitable in reversing bookmakers and alterations induced
by cadmium toxicity. Hence the result of this research will be of great
value to medical practitioners, as well as the pharmacological society in
their constant search for new and alternative medication for the
management of problems related to the digestive system. It will also
provide knowledge and scientific based information on the use

of solanum aethiopicum extract to improve damages to the stomach and
enlighten the populace especially those working in cadmium based
industries with evidence on the methanolic extract of the plant.
1.5 Scope of the study
This study is limited to the histological examination of the stomach of
adult wistar rats using cadmium toxicity and solanum aethiopicum for a
period of 8 weeks of administration and stained with Hematoxylin and
Eosin techniques for view with a light microscope.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the study

Solanum Aethiopicum commonly called African eggplant or garden egg is

among the oldest vegetables indigenous to tropical Africa (Ogunka et al.,

2018). It is widely cultivated across West Africa especially for the

nutritional, medicinal and economic value of its leaves and fruits

vegetables. Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria traditionally welcome

visitors by offering them the fruits. The leaves of Solanum Aethiopicum

medicine in many African countries ( Doganlar et al., 2002).

Medicinal applications include the use of the roots and fruits as

pressure, leaf juice as a sedative to treat uterine complaints, a methanolic

extracts of leaves as a sedative, anti-emetic, anti-ulcerative and to treat

tetanus after abortion and crushed and macerated fruits as an enema

(Lester and Thitai, 1998).

As a traditional food plant in Africa, the little known vegetable has a

potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, hinder gastric ulcers,

2006). Solanum Aethiopicum is a wonderful source of potassium,

manganese, copper, dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, niacin, vitamin B1,

from their nutritional roles in complimenting staple foods to form

balanced diet, they also influence biochemical parameters in the body

many disease conditions ( Elujoba et al., 2005).

Report has shown that Solanum Aethiopicum possess ulcer protecting

properties against experimentally induced ulcer in rats ( Ezeugwu et al.,

lipidemia ( Nwodo et al., 2013) and showed weight reducing effect as

well as hypolipidemia population ( Ossamul et al., 2014).

stomach when ingested in high quantities thereby causing irritation and

inflammation of the stomach linings( Koyama and Tsuchiya, 1962),

damage to mucosal barrier of the stomach, interference with the

1998; Satarug et al., 2010).

1.2 Statement of the problem

Due to rapid industrialization and overgrowing urbanization, the effect of

cadmium on human health has become a major concern showing that

approximately 21.000 - 64,000 death per year are attributable to cadmium

exposure from environmental and occupational sources (World Health

Organization, 2012). This can also account for bio-accumulation of other

toxic metals. Many individual are exposed to this harmful element

sometimes consciously or unconsciously without knowing the adverse

effect as it does not manifest immediately but accumulates over years

causing various health problems such as stomach ulcers, inflammation

the potential protective effect of natural substance against cadmium-

induced stomach damages. The current study aims to investigate the

ameliorative effect of solanum aethiopicum (garden egg leaf) methanolic

1.3 Aim and objectives of the study

This study aims at investigating the ameliorative effect of solanum

stomach of albino wistar rat induced with cadmium toxicity.

I．Examine the effect of solanum aethiopicum methanolic extract on

the histology of albino wistar induced with cadmium

II．Determine the morphology of the wister rats induced with

cadmium toxicity under the microscope

III．Make recommendations on the impact of this extract from the

1.4 Significance of the study

Researches are generally conducted to provide knowledgeable, answers

and solutions to tackle a particular problems. In concurrence with other

literature solanum aethiopicum has been proven to have wide range of

therapeutic and ameliorative functions which include; antioxidants,

antibacterial, ulcer protective properties, ant-inflammatory properties

which makes it suitable in reversing bookmakers and alterations induced

by cadmium toxicity. Hence the result of this research will be of great

value to medical practitioners, as well as the pharmacological society in

management of problems related to the digestive system. It will also