Abstract

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF THE LEAVES OF NAPOLEONAE IMPERIALIS AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE- INDUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE IN ALBINO RATS

Mba O.J.*, Aja O.A., Edward U.I. and Chikezie P.C.

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of methanol extract of Napoleonae imperialis against carbon tetrachloride on the liver histology in albino rats. Thirty (30) male albino rats of mean weight 130 g were used for this study. The animals for the study were grouped into five (5) of six (6) rats each. Group A received feed and water only and Group B was induced with carbon tetrachloride without treatment. Test groups (C and D) were orally given 250 mg and 500 mg/kg b.wt of leaves extract, and group E was orally given the extract only (500 mg/kg b.wt) respectively for 14 days. All the rats used in this study were initially subjected to hepatocyte damage using 2.0 ml/kg of carbon tetrachloride except the normal control group. The rats were sacrificed after 14 days, and the liver were carefully dissected from the abdominal region. They were fixed in normal saline for 72 hours and sliced into a thickness of 2.1mm samples of and processed for histopathological evaluation. The photomicrographs result showed that in Group A, (normal control group) well preserved liver architecture. In Group 2 (positive control gtoup), there is extensive centriolobular necrosis. In Group (C and D), there is complete healing of the lesions showing no pathology. In Group E, there is moderate portal inflammation and focal lobular hepatitis without interface hepatitis. The results of this study indicate that the leaves extract may have exerted hepatoprotective effects in albino rats, and may also be used pharmacologically in the management of organ toxicity.

Keywords: Hepatocyte damage, hepatoprotective effects, pathology, Napoleonae imperialis, histopathological evaluation.