Histopathological Studies on the Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Senna italica Treatment of Rats Infected with Hymenolepis diminuta

Abstract

Helminths infections are among the major ailments affecting humans and livestock in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world which necessitates the current need for the use of traditional plants in the treatment of parasitic diseases.The aim of this study was to determine the pathological effects of Senna italica leaves extract on Hymenolepis diminuta infection. Plant leaf were collected and processed using cold maceration method. Phytochemical composition of the plant extract was determined. Rats were grouped into five groups of five rats each for the experiment. Albendazole was used for treatment at 7.5 mg/kg as positive control, while different concentrations of 75, 150, 300 and 0.0 mg/kg of the plant extracts were used for treatment of rats in the other groups. Daily worm-egg counts from all the rats for all the groups were recorded for up to 7 days post infection. Histopathology of tissues from representative rats from all groups was conducted to determine any visible change due to the treatments. The findings have shown a significant (p<0.05) reduction in mean egg/gram (EPG) in positive control after three days. Rats in group 2 (75 mg/kg) showed a fluctuating faecal worm-egg count throughout the period of the study, with no significant difference observed. Rats in group 3 (150 mg/kg) showed a slightly decreased mean worm-egg count with no significant difference observed at P<0.05. Rats treated with 300 mg/kg of the extract have shown significant decreased of worm-egg count within three days of the treatment (P<0.05) which was observed to be similar to the treatment with Albendazole. Histopathological studies of intestine, liver and lung tissues of the infected and treated rats have shown that the plant extract has no significant histopathological effects. Leaves of Senna italica have therapeutic effect against Hymenolepis diminuta infection with no observed pathology in an experimental animal model.