CALABASH CHALK CHRONIC DIET CONSUMPTION ELEVATES ANXIETY AND PAIN PERCEPTION
Bright I. Owhorji, Udemeobong E. Okon and Eme E. Osim*
ABSTRACT
Consumption of calabash chalk is a common practice in Nigeria as
well as other parts of Africa, especially among pregnant women.
Nevertheless, calabash chalk contains lead (Pb) and arsenic which are
thought to be harmful to the brain and responsible for cognitive
dysfunction. It is therefore conceivable that calabash chalk
consumption may affect other neuronal activities in the body such as
anxiety and pain. Therefore, this present research study investigated
the effects of consumption of this form of pica on anxiety and pain
perception in mice. Forty-five (45) Swiss white mice of mixed sex
were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 15 mice each. Group 1 served
as control, while groups 2 and 3 received low and high doses of
calabash calk diets respectively. Feeding lasted for 30 days. Anxiety
levels of the mice were assessed with the aid of elevated plus maze and light-dark transition
box as well as elevated plus maze, while response to pain stimuli were studied using hot plate
and formalin tests. The results showed that the calabash chalk diet-fed mice had significantly
increased (p< 0.05) close arm duration and stretch attend posture compared to control. Pain
perception was significantly increased in the calabash chalk diet-fed mice compared to
control. Consumption of calabash chalk elevates anxiety and pain perception in mice. These
actions may be as a result of its lead and arsenic content.
Keywords: Calabash chalk, Lead, Arsenic, Anxiety, Pain.
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