Gastric Acid Secretion, Mucus Concentration and Ulceration Following Orogastic Feeding of Cannabis Sativa to Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of consumption (ingestion) of Cannabis sativa on the gastrointestinal tract using mucus concentration, acid secretion and ulceration in animal (rats) model as indices. Three groups of six (6) rats each were used. The control group were fed on rat chow only while another group were fed on low dose of Cannabis sativa 0.5gm/100g body weight and another group were fed on high dose of Cannibis sativa 0.8mg/100g body weight for 28 days respectively and allowed free access to food and water. At the end of 28 days, the results showed that the acid secretion in the high dose group was significantly (P<0.001) higher than in low dose group while the mucus concentration in low dose and high dose group respectively were significantly lower (P<0.01) than control. The mucus concentration in high dose was significantly lower (P<0.001) than low dose group when the test groups were compared. Similarly the ulcer scores were higher in low dose group (P<0.05) and in high dose group (P<0.001) respectively when compared with control group. The ulceration in high dose group was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the low dose group. In conclusion, ingestion of Cannabis sativa causes decrease in adherent gastric mucus, increase acid secretion and increase in gastric ulceration in a dose dependent fashion. The liberal use of Cannabis sativa should therefore be discouraged.