POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF Dioscorea alata (WATER YAM) EXTRACT ON TRAMADOL-TREATED WISTAR ALBINO RATS' GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM.

Abstract

It has long been recognised that Dioscorea alata (water yam), provides therapeutic benefits. The commonly used analgesic tramadol has been linked to negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The researchers looked at how Dioscorea alata (water yam) extract might help the digestive systems of albino rats that had been given tramadol beforehand. A controlled experimental setup was used with twenty-five albino rats split up into five groups (control, negative, positive, and counter groups). Histological investigations assessed the structural and functional changes to the gastrointestinal tissues. Cell damage, oxidative stress, and tissue inflammation were among the parameters that were assessed. The statistical programme for social sciences, or SPSS version 20, was used to analyse the data that was produced. Group 3 rats' body and organ (stomach) weights were significantly lower than those of Group 1. This investigation showed that tramadol inflamed the gastrointestinal tracts of the rats in group 3. On the other hand, it was shown that Dioscorea alata helped to reduce some of these inflammations and changes in tissue architecture. The gastro-intestinal tract of rats in group 3 that were only given Dioscorea alata had some mild inflammatory cells. This study suggests that the extract from Dioscorea alata may lessen tramadol-induced gastrointestinal tissue damage in albino Wistar rats. It is recommended that human subjects be used for further research in order to clarify the underlying processes of these effects, evaluate dose concerns, and analyse the long-term effects of such treatment.