IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 28, Issue 2, Series 10 (February, 2023) 28-37 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2802102837 www.iosrjournals.org 28 |Page Investigations of the Effects of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of The Leaves of Common Milkweed (Asclepiassyriaca) on Loperamide Induced Constipation and Histology of the Large and Small Intestine of the GIT of Wistar Rats 1 Preyor E, 2 Sanni, G.P 1 Department of Human Anatomy, Madonna University, Elele, Nigeria. 2 Department of Human Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. ABSTRACT This study accessed the effects of ethanol and aqueous extract of Asclepiassyriaca on loperamide induced constipation and its histological effects on some gastrointestinal tracts (small and large intestines). Twenty eight (28) adult wistar rats weighing 120g-200g were used for this study; the animals were weighed and sorted into two sets (A and B). set A consists of three groups (2-4) for ethanol extracts and set B also consists of 3 groups (5-7) for aqueous extract. While group one serves as control for both sets. Prior to extracts administration, the experimental groups (2-7) were given 3mg/kg body weight of loperamide for 3 days to induce constipation. The control received feed mash and water liberally, while the treated groups in set A; 2-4 were given 10mg/ml, 15mg/ml and 20mg/ml of ethanol extracts of Asclepiassyriaca respectively. Set B; 5-7 were given 10mg/ml, 15mg/ml and 20mg/ml of aqueous extracts of Asclepiassyriaca respectively. Both sets also received feed mash and water liberally. At the end of the two weeks (14 days) experiment, animals were sacrificed, organs harvested and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. The results showed normal histological features in both small and large intestines of group 2 and 5 treated with 10mg/ml of ethanol and aqueous extracts respectively. There was degeneration of crypts of mucosa in the large intestine and loss of villi in the small intestine of the other groups treated with 15mg/ml and 20mg/ml of ethanol and aqueous extracts (3,4,6, and 7). The study also showed that the leaves of Asclepiassyriaca relieved constipation in all experimental groups. However, it had a dose-dependent histological effect on the large and small intestines of GIT. Keywords: constipation; Asclepiassyriaca; common milkweed; small intestine, large intestine --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 14-02-2023 Date of Acceptance: 28-02-2023 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Constipation is one of the most common community problems and it is commonly defined as lack of satisfactory definition (Werth & Christopher, 2021). Chronic constipation is a common disorder with a reported prevalence ranging from 3% to 27% in the general population (Schmidt & Santos, 2014). The most common cause of constipation has been reported to be diets with little fibre as well as inadequate fluid intake (Annells& Koch 2003). Several management strategies, including diagnostic tests, empiric treatments, and specific treatments, have been developed (Mearin et al,. 2016) Asclepiassyriaca which is known as "Common Milkweed" is said to have many medicinal uses (Everittet et al, 2009). It had a fairly significant action on the digestive tract. It stimulates general circulation and is useful to produce adequate hydrochloric acid (Margret, 2010). It helps in chronic constipation and is a fairly detoxifying herb, and it supports the removal of toxins from the body through its action on the blood, lymphatic circulation, and digestive system (Adelmanet& Schwartz, 2011). II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Location: This research was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. Preparation of the Aqueous and Ethanol Plant Extracts: Fresh leaf samples of Asclepiassyriaca were collected from the backyard of a compound in Kpakiama Town, Bomadi LGA, Delta State, Nigeria. The leaves