Abstract:
Background: Plants are important source of chemical substances with therapeutic effects. Although, the promising
potentials for good number of medicinal plants are being established, there exists in developing countries where
people resort to herbal plants without proper awareness of the associated risks particularly in event of excessive or
chronic use. Hence, the need to evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba
farinosa used traditionally for treatments of gastrointestinal parasites, cancer and diabetes in North-Eastern Nigeria.
To evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa on liver of adult
Wistar rats.
Methods: Twelve adult Wistar rats of both sexes were used and divided into four groups of three rats each. Group 1
served as control. Aqueous leaf extract were orally administered for 28 days at doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg
respectively. Biochemical and histological analysis were performed.
Results: This study showed significantly elevated levels of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and alanine
transaminase in animals treated with Cadaba farinosa (especially the highest dose 300mg/kg) compared to negative
control. Elevated liver enzymes were corroborated by histopathological changes of liver exhibiting ballooning
degenerations and steatohepatitis.
Conclusions: Cadaba farinosa causes hepatic injury. Hence, further work needs to be done to ascertain whether
reducing the dose of Cadaba farinosa would ameliorate this effect. Authors speculate that injury to multiple
organelles including fat droplets and endoplasmic reticulum contribute to this characteristic finding.
