Histological Assessment of Cannabis Sativa on the Lungs of Neonatal Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Cannabis is used for treating a wide range of medical conditions. It is an extraction of plant with psychoactive properties. This study investigated the histological outcome of cannabis on the lungs of albino rats. The research used 25 rats weighing 50-100g and were divided into Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. Group A was the control group; unexposed to any form of inhalation. Group B were exposed to the flame from 0.5g of cannabis burnt in a closed chamber for only 30 minutes. Group C were exposed to the flame from 0.5g of cannabis burnt in a closed chamber for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes exposure after (6) six hours. Group D were exposed to the flame from 0.5g of cannabis burnt in a closed chamber for 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes by noon and 30 minutes by evening. In the end, the rats were sacrificed and the lungs were removed and fixed in 10% formal saline solution. The lungs were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Results show no adverse effects on the lungs of group B and group C but showed effects on group D which was the high dose group. Therefore, cannabis can damage the human lungs.