European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS IN SPLEEN AND LIVER OF RATS TREATED WITH METHANOLIC FRUITS EXTRACT OF CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM

Janet Olayemi Sangodele*, Olabisi T. Obafemi, Omobola M. Daramola and Afolabi C. Akinmoladun

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Medicinal plants could be used for therapeutic purposes and precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs. The development of novel plant based drugs with enhanced anti-proliferative potential and reduced toxicity has become the prime focus of the evolving medicinal chemistry. In this regards, with over 5000 plants known few are been extensively investigated. In the current study splenic and hepatic toxicity of Chrysophyllum albidum was assessed by histopathological evaluation of spleen and liver specimens of rats exposed to the plant. Methods: In this research work, 30 healthy male wistar rats weighing between 150-200g were used, with doses of 1000 and 6400 mg/kg of Chrysophyllum albidum administered orally for 28 consecutive days using oropharyngeal cannula before sacrificing the animals. After autopsy, the spleen and hepatic tissues were preserved in buffered formalin. Processing of the samples was followed by histopathological evaluation. The results were compared with the normal controls. Results: The predominant histopathological finding was mild steatosis, no pathological lessions, normal sinusoids and mild congestion. The hepatic lesions comprised varying extents of moderate vascular congestion and mild infiltration of inflammatory cells. The splenic tissues shows normal red and white pulp, normal spleen capsule. Conclusion: The methanolic fruits extract of Chrysophyllum albidum causes minimal histological changes in spleen and liver of rats, reflecting its relative safety and use for therapeutic purposes.

Keywords: Medicinal plants; spleen; hepatic; Chrysophyllum albidum; red pulp; white pulp.