Toxic Effect of African Black Soap (Sabulun salo) on the Histology of Albino Rat Stomach

Background: Sabulun salo (African traditional black soap) is widely used among various local communities in the northern Nigeria as medicinal herb. This experimental research was carried out to study the effect of oral administration of the soap on the stomach of Albino Rats. The administration lasted for the period of two weeks.

Objectives: The objectives are to determine the effect of African black soap (Sabulun salo) on the histology of stomach, hematological parameters and food and water consumption.

Methodology: 20 Albino rats used for this study were randomly divided into four groups. The first, second and third group (AC, BC, and FC) were orally administered with 2000 mg/kg, 3000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg doses of Sabulun salo respectively. The control group received normal saline, the animals were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. The stomach was excised and processed for paraffin embedding. Blood samples were collected for haematological analyses.

Results: Incomplete metaplasia of the stomach epithelia were seen in the albino rats fed with 2000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg of the extract while complete metaplasia were observed among those on 4000 mg/kg. There were significant increase in white blood cell, hemoglobin and packed cell volume in the entire groups except the FC group when compared to control. There was decrease in food and water consumption across the groups

Conclusion: The results of this research have shown that the Sabulun salo (African traditional black soap) is toxic to the albino rats exposed.