Chronic Toxicity Study Aqueous Stem Bark of Khaya senegalensis Extract on the Histology of the Liver and Its Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Khaya senegalensis is a genus of seven species of trees in the mahogany family Meliaceae, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. Mahogany in English, Aganwo in Yoruba,  Madachi in  Hausa and  Ono in  Igbo. All species become big trees 30–35 m tall, rarely 45 m, with a trunk over 1 m trunk diameter, often buttressed at the base. The leaves are pinnate, with 4-6 pairs of leaflets, the terminal leaflet absent; each leaflet is 10–15 cm long abruptly rounded toward the apex but often with an acuminate tip. Aim: The study aimed to determine the chronic toxicity on the histological effect of chronic oral administration of the aqueous stem bark of Khaya senegalensis extract on the liver and its biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. Methods: This project dissertation work is experimental research. A total of 20 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups each of which contains 4 rats. Group 1 received distilled water while group 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 500 mg/kg bw, 1000 mg/kg bw 2000 mg/kg bw and 4000 mg/kg bw of the aqueous extract respectively for 60 days after which they were sacrificed. Results: There was a significant increase in Aspartate transaminase and Alanine amino-transferases in group 5 compared with group 1 (control), while no significant increase in the other groups,  but Alkaline phosphatase there was a decrease in group 3, other groups not significant. The total protein there was an increase in groups 3, 4 and 5 but group 2 no significant increase. Similarly, albumin there was an increase in groups 2 and 4 while other groups not significant. The total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in all test groups were increased. The liver section has normal histology in group 1(control), after administration of distilled water. The test groups showed increase infiltration of polymorphs across all the groups, more marked in group 5 indicating inflammation of the liver.