Heamatology and Histological Assessment of Methanol Leave Extract of Lantana Camara in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Exposure of animals to xenobiotics may or may not trigger adverse response at cellular levels. The study examined the toxicological properties of methanol leave extract of Lantana camara with a view to elucidating its toxic nature. Methodology: Forty eight adult wistar albino rats were used, grouped and dosed as follows: Group one (control)was given 5ml/kgbw of normal saline, group two, three and four were given 100, 200 and 500 mg/kgbw of methanol extract of lantana camara respectively. The extract was given orally for a period of four weeks (28 days). Three rats from each group were sacrificed at weekly (7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day) interval from each group for the haematology assessment and the histological examination was carried out after the 28th day. Results: The haematological result revealed that there was significant increase (p < 0.05) in PCV of rats in all the test groups (2, 3 and 4) at weeks one and two. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in the PCV of group 4 rats when compared to the rats in control group. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in haemoglobin and white blood cell (WBC) count of rats in all the groups except in group 2, where there was relative increase though not significant in week one. All the test groups significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in week four (chronic phase) when compared to the rats in control group. The histopathology results showed various effects on the organs; liver and kidney. The massive influx of lymphocytes at the central vein with Kupfer cells lining the sinusoids with swollen or enlarged hepatocytes were observed in the liver of rats while the kidneys of rats showed change in glomerular structure, degeneration of glomerular contents with enlargement of the renal tubules compared to the control group. Although, the oral administration of methanol leaves extract of lantana camara proved safe during acute toxicity phase, while chronic phase revealed enlargement of hepatocytes and kidney damage. Conclusion: Pathological alterations were observed in the organs of rats exposed to the methanol leaf extract of Lantana camara.