title: Regenerative Potential of Aqueous Extract of NeemAzadirachta indicaon the Stomach and Ileum Following Ethanol-induced Mucosa Lesion in Adult Wistar Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine whether neemAzadirachta indicapossesses regenerative potential on the stomach and ileum at 500 mg/kg dose given every 12 hours after mucosa lesion was brought by the administration of 1 ml of 50% ethanol for 21 consecutive days in adult Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult male Wistar rats used in the study were divided into 3 groups: group A received oral normal saline and served as control; group B received 1.0 ml of 50% ethanol orally every 12 hours; and group C received neem extract (500 mg/kg) orally 12 hours after ethanol (50%, 1.0 ml) administration to verify its regenerative potential. The experiment lasted for 21 days after which the animals were sacrificed following chloroform inhalation and the stomach and ileum excised and processed for histological and morphometric examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethanol treated rats showed marked gross mucosal lesions in the stomach and ileum. Ulcerated mucosa with marked apoptotic bodies and destruction of glandular elements were evident in the animals (group B). Neem extract administered 12 hours after the ethanol administration showed regenerative potential against ethanol-induced mucosal damage. This was characterized by mild restoration of the ulcerated mucosa epithelium and reorganization of the cyto-architechtural outline in group C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our investigation suggests that neem extract has a regenerative potential and may be adopted in the management of gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun-State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ofusori
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun-State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Benedict A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Falana
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adebimpe E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ofusori
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun-State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ezekiel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Caxton-Martins
keywords: Ethanol; Ileum; Lesion; Neem Azadirachta indica; Regeneration; Stomach