Effects of aqueous crude leaf extract of senecio biafrae on the histology of the frontal cortex, kidney, liver and testis of male sprague dawley rats

Whenever any plant and/or herb is ingested, the body system interacts with it in an attempt to get rid of any harmful toxins such may contain, especially if the body cannot convert the foreign substance into useful components. This study was to evaluate the effects of oral consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Senecio biafrae on the histology of the frontal cortex, kidney, liver and testis of Sprague Dawley rats as a marker of toxicity. Twenty adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 100-158 g were used (4-6 weeks old). They were divided into 2 groups. The rats in the treatment group A received 300 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous leaf extract of S. biafrae for thirty days (30d). Histological observation of the frontal cortex, liver, kidney and testes revealed no significant abnormal alterations. The rats in the control group B received equal volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) also for 30d and no histopathological abnormalities were seen in the frontal cortex, kidney, liver, and testes of the rats. Aqueous leaf extract of S. biafrae has no deleterious effects on the histological profile of the frontal cortex, liver, kidney and testis of the rats. © 2012 Sjournals. All rights reserved.