ABSTRACT

The effect of ethanol extract of Brassica oleracea (cabbage) on intestinal motility and gastric secretion was studied using wistar albino rat. Acute toxicity of the plant was carried out using Lorke’s method. 15 mice were used for LD50. They were divided into five groups of three animals each and they were zero percent mortality at the dose of 5,000ml/kg which was determined as the LD50. Twenty four (24) female wistar rats were used for the motility study and gastric secretion test. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was given 1500mg/kg of the extract, Group 2 was given 0.29mg/kg of metoclopramide, Group 3 was administered with 1500mg/kg of extract and 0.29mg/kg of metoclopromide, while Group 4 which was the control received 10ml/kg of distilled water. Administration was daily for fourteen days according to their body weight. Intestinal motility was determined after fourteen days and basal height of contraction was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group 3 (Brassica oleracea + metoclopramide group) compared to Group 4 (control). Basal height of contraction was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group 3 (Brassica oleracea + metoclopramide group) 8.8 + 0.06mm, compared to the groups treated with Brassica oleracea only (Group 1) 7.3 + 0.07mm and metoclopramide only (Group 2) 7.6 + 0.09mm. On gastric secretion, there was a general decrease in Group 3 (Brassica + metoclopramide group) compared to the Group 4 (control) and there was no increase in gastric secretion in Group 1 (Brassica oleracea) and Group 2 (metoclopramide). It can be concluded that Brassica oleracea (Cabbage) increases intestinal motility but does not increase gastric secretion. It means (cabbage) can be used as a complement to drug therapy for treatment of intestinal motility disorders and also as anti-ulcerogenic agent.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1     INTRODUCTION

Plants are known to build complex organic food substances from inorganic substances (photosynthesis) and all life depends on them. Some of these plants, because of their delicious taste or scent are widely consumed. The primitive man must have recognized the very essential needs of the body (what to eat to keep fit) in some plants that he made it a daily routine to eat such plants either in their raw or cooked forms till they became known as vegetables to be eaten daily (Kafaru,1994). Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy green or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is one of the most important vegetables grown worldwide. it belongs to the family cruciferae, which includes broccoli, cauliflower and Kale. The different cultivated types of cabbage show great variation in respect of size, shape, and color of leaves as well as texture of the heads(Sing.et all,2006) Brassica oleracea contains carbohydrates(5.8g), Sugars, energy, dietary fibre, protein, vitamin c, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6,folate vitamin B5 (Oguwike et al. 2014) . Cabbage is consumed either raw or uses in salads etc.

Brassica oleracea is still considered to be a primitive cultivar, being high yielding, less susceptible to pests and diseases and well adapted to a wide range of climates(Rosa 1997) .Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, cabbage has widespread use in traditional medicine especially in the healing and tumor protective effects(Yurtsever and Yardimic,1997).Fresh cabbage juice, prepared either separately or mixed with other vegetables such as carrots and celery, is often in many commercial weight loss diets(samec,2011) diets that improve the bioavailable content of non heme iron(Chiplonkar et al  1999) .

Clinical research has shown positive effects of cabbage consumption in healing peptic ulcers (Cheney,1949) and facilitating the reduction of serum LDL levels (suido et al .,2002).Chemical component analysis has shown that the main constituents of cabbage are carbohydrates, comprising nearly 90% of the dry weight, where approximately one third is dietary fibre and two thirds are low molecular weight carbohydrates ( LMWC).Other characteristic components are glucosinolates( Wennberg et al.,2006) Brassica species have been reported to possess preventive properties ( Beecher,1994) that have been attributed to the glucosinolates and their derived products (stoewsand 1995)

  Above all, cabbage is widely consumed throughout the world. It is used in preparing salad delicacies and also an important diet for vegetarians.

1.2     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Cabbage is popularly consumed around the world as an ingredient for preparing salad. cabbage is classified under green plants called producers. Although not all green plants have green colors, there are thousands species that do. Cabbage has been reported to have effects on intestinal motility and gastric emptying, and gastric secretion among other medicinal properties due to the presence of active components such as glucosinolates (Wennberg et all,2006) .

1.3     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The degree of consumption of cabbage among various persons of different backgrounds has promoted the need for further research into finding the possible benefit of cabbage consumption to the gastrointestinal system. Cabbage is popularly consumed around the world especially as a constituent of salad. It is a folklore remedy used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal disorder. Raw cabbage juice is a hallowed folk remedy in the treatment of stomach and disorders associated with intestinal motility. There is need to determine the exact medicinal benefits of cabbage to the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, this research work is undertaken to investigate and compare the effects of Brassica oleracea and metoclopramide on the intestinal motility of albino wistar rats

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study is to evaluate the comparative effects of Brassica oleracea and metoclopramide on the motility and gastric secretion in albino wistar rats. The outcome of this study shall enable the consumers of cabbage to know its effects on intestinal motility. Findings from this study will also provide information for the scientific community, dieticians, medical practitioners and the general public on cabbage and motility   This research project is important in order to know whether or not cabbage extract can affect intestinal motility and gastric secretion if it can be beneficial in intestinal disorders like gastric motor failure.

1.5     OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

1.     To find out the possible effect of cabbage on intestinal motility.

2.     To determine the acute toxicity of Brassica oleracea ethanolic extract in laboratory mice.

3.     To comparatively analyze the role of cabbage and metoclopramide on motility.

4.     To analyze the effect of Brassica oleracea extract and metoclopramide on gastric secretion.

1.6     HYPOTHESIS

1. Brassica oleracea can increase intestinal motility.
2. Brassica oleracea ethanolic extract do not have any toxic effect in laboratory mice.

You either get what you want or your money back. T&C Apply

Talk to us right now: (+234)906-451-7926 (Call/WhatsApp)

---