EFFECTS OF SUB-ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF FERMENTED ELAEIS GUINEENSIS SAP (PALM WINE) ON THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF ADULT WISTAR RATS

Abstract: Background: Alcoholism causes both neuropsychological and neuropathological harmful modifications in the brain. Despite the alcoholic content of palm wine (sap from Elaeis guineensis), it is still largely consumed; most times, to chronic levels. Aim: This study seeks to investigate the effect of the sub-acute administration of fermented Elaeis guineensis sap (palm wine) on the hippocampus of the brain using adult wistar rats. Methodology: Palm wine (Elaeis guineensis Sap) was diluted with 50% clean tap water, and allowed to ferment at room temperature for 24 hours before being administered to the rats. Twenty five (25) healthy male wistar rats (average weight of 200g) were divided into five groups (n=5). Group A served as the normal controls and received only distilled water daily. Palm wine treated groups received increasing volumes of fermented palm wine via oral routes in increasing progressions (1ml, 2ml, 4ml, and 8ml respectively). The experimental procedure lasted for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed under ketamine (100mg/ml) as anesthesia 24 hours after their last treatment. Their hippocampi were isolated from the carefully harvested brain tissues for histological analysis and stained with Cresyl Fast Violet and also Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: Relative to the control groups which showed a normal histology, palm wine treated groups showed progressive dose-related injuries evidenced by neuronal/ nissl atrophies, fatty changes, vacuolation of neurons, distortion of hippocampal layers and focal areas of necrosis. The extent of damage was seen to increase as the animals received increased doses of the palm wine solution. Conclusions: Fermented palm wine administration displayed dose-dependent injurious effects on the histology of the hippocampus. Keywords: Elaeis guineensis, Alcoholism, Hippocampus. Title: EFFECTS OF SUB-ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF FERMENTED ELAEIS GUINEENSIS SAP (PALM WINE) ON THE HIPPOCAMPUS OF ADULT WISTAR RATS Author: Christian Chiemeka Ozor, Chike Ikechukwu Patrick Anibeze, Godson Emeka Anyanwu International Journal of Thesis Projects and Dissertations (IJTPD) Vol. 13, Issue 4, October 2025 - December 2025 Page No: 32-39 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published date: 31-December-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18109780 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/effects-of-sub-acute-administration-of-fermented-elaeis-guineensis-sap-palm-wine-on-the-hippocampus-of-adult-wistar-rats