Histopathological assessment of oral administration of aqueous whole extract of Cassytha filiforms in rats

Abstract

The effect of aqueous extract of Cassytha filiformis leaves were evaluated using histological sections of liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen and testes of albino rats. Experimental albino rats received 250 mg/kg.bw, 500 mg/kg.bw, and 1000 mg/kg.bw of the extract for 28 consecutive days. Administration of extract at 250 mg/kg.bw, 500 mg/kg.bw and 1000 mg/kg.bw to rats was presented with histopathological signs in the liver in the form of focal periportal and pericentral lymphocytic infiltrates when compared with the control. Focal granuloma was observed in the lungs at all the doses when compared with the control. Alterations were observed in the kidney at all the doses of extract in the form of focal lymphocytic infiltrates and focal interstitial hemorrhages in comparison with the control. There were no histological abnormalities in the heart and spleen of the animals at all the doses of the extract when compared with the control. The results of this study suggest that aqueous extract of C. filiformis administered at 250 mg/kg.bw, 500 mg/kg.bw and 1000 mg/kg.bw is likely to produce severe toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, lungs and testes and should therefore be used with high degree of caution.