Abstract:
Aim/Introduction:The use of plant in treatment of human diseases is as old as man. Medicinal
plants are often consumed locally without a graded dose or expected duration of use. Cashew is
traditionally used for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, stomach and intestinal
(gastrointestinal) ailments, skin problems, and other conditions. The aim of this study is to
determine protective effect of Cashew apple juice, Anacardium occidentale, on gentamicin
induced injury on spleen of albino rats.
Method: A total of thirty rats (155–210 g) where used for this work. Group one served as the
positive control receiving normal saline. Group two received normal saline for eigth days, while
group 3, 4 and 5 received 10, 20 and 40 ml/kg of the extract respectively. On the eighth (8th) day,
animals in groups 2 – 5 received gentamicin 100 mg/kg bw orally. Twenty hours after the last
administration, that is on the 9th day, all animals were weighed again and sacrificed under light
diethylether vapour.
Result: Anacardium occidentale fruit juice extract caused significant increase (P<0.05) in the
level of RBC, PCV, Hb, platelet and monocyte when compared to the gentamicin group. There
was no significant increase (P<0.05) in the level of WBC. There was also significant increase
(P<0.05) in the body weight ratio of the rat’s spleen. Histopatholgy observations agree with
hematology study.
Conclusion: Anacardium occidentale has protective tendency on vital body organ. The fruit may
also be useful in improving hematological parameters.
