Effect of Aqueous Extract of Cannabis Sativa on the Histology of the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Albino Rat

Abstract

Cannabis sativa, also known as weed, hemp or marijuana is a drug made from the plant sativa. The effect of aqueous extract of cannabis sativa on the histology of the cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats is the subject of this study. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (A-D). Group A served as Control and received food and water. Group B, C and D received 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 900mg/kg of the extract per body weight respectively for 28 days. The rats’ weights were taken initially and at the end. Rats were sedated by chloroform vapor and blood was collected via ocular puncture. Animals were sacrificed and their brains harvested and fixed in Bouin’s solution for histological studies using H&E. Histological observation showed that the cerebral cortex of control group showed normal molecular and glandular layer with normal pyramidal cells. Rats treated with 500mg/kg extract of cannabis sativa showed lymphocytic cuffing and neuroglial spacing and congestion of vascular channel. Rats treated with 750mg/kg extract of cannabis sativa showed multi focal congestion of vascular channel. The rats treated with 900mg/kg of the extract of cannabis sativa showed perivascular congestion and lymphocytic infiltration. Hematological analysis showed significant decrease of the white blood cells in the experimental animal than in the control with p value < 0.05. Other haematological parameters were not significantly different in the experimental groups compared to the control.  The result showed that the consumption of cannabis sativa lowered white blood cell count and impaired the histoarchitecture of the cerebral cortex.