Moju powder is a substance commonly used in the western and eastern part of Nigeria for the treatment of skin rashes in newborns and children. The present study was undertaken to determine the histological effects of Moju powder (100% zinc oxide) on the skin of young albino wistar mice. 24 mice (two weeks old) of mixed sexes which were divided into 6 groups (1-VI) of four (4) mice each were used for the study. Group I, II and III received a moderately thick topical application of Vaseline, moju powder with Vaseline and baby oil respectively. Groups IV and V were treated with moju powder with baby oil and moju powder respectively while group VI did not receive any treatment and hence served as control. All topical applications were done on the skin around the peritoneal region. On the 4th day of treatment one mice each died in group II and IV. Hypoactivity and a decrease in food and water intake were also observed in treated mice. The rest of the animal were sacrificed on the 4th day and the portion of the skin where the topical application was done were harvested and histological processing carried out Histological changes on skin of mice treated wit moju powder only showed epidermal hyperplasia, necrosis of superficial cells of the epidermis, increased hair follicles, inflammatory cell infiltration. The mixture of moju powder and either Vaseline or baby oil showed more severe histological picture. Hence, it may be inferred that the use of moju powder and it’s admixture with Vaseline or baby oil on the skin is lethal and may be capable of causing death.
The name Moju Powder is a commonly used powder among the Yorubas. The word Moju could mean two things “to blinck” and “to cleanse “but the exact meaning that correlated with the use is to “cleanse”. The Moju powder is know and commonly used among the Yorubas. (Moji et. al, 2010).
Moju powder contains 100% Zinc oxide. It is a white clay chalk known as Efun a Yoruba word. It is usually grounded and used as a cosmetics for females in Yoruba land and also used for children whenever they have any kind of skin problems such as measles, chickenpox, small pox, rashes etc. (Prince Toks et. al, 2010).
Efun being one of the name of Yoruba gods accompany Osun (also a yoruba word), it is believed that it cures all kind of children illness (Drewel et al, 1899).
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