Histopathological profiles of Albino rats induced with Viscum album leaf and stem aqueous extracts.

Abstract

Viscum album is a hemiparasitic shrub that grows on various tree species and contains diverse active substances. Objectives: The histopathology of the toxic effects of Viscum album leaf and stem aqueous extracts from host plants Azadirachta indica (neem), Psidium guajava (guava), and Acacia albida on organs of albino rats was evaluated. Methodology: Thirty-five (35) albino rats divided into 7 groups (A-G) of 5 albino rats each was exposed to graded doses of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400mg/kg using the intraperitoneal route. The experimental rats were observed for 24 hours and subsequently sacrificed and their organs including liver, kidney, lungs, and heart were subjected to histopathology for any ultra-structural changes. Results: The histopathological findings indicate that the liver had vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and congestion of sinusoids for 800mg/kg of Viscum album (Azadirachta indica: neem) stem extract, and widespread vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes at 3200mg/kg for Viscum album (Acacia albida) stem extract. The kidneys had congestion, tubular necrosis with deposition of hyaline materials in the intratubular lumen and capsular space of the glomerulus, and glomerular atrophy at 400mg/kg of Viscum album (Psidium guajava: guava) leaf extract, but indicated marked congestion, and tubular necrosis with 3200mg/kg of Viscum album (Psidium guajava: guava) stem.
The lungs had marked thickening of the interstitium by edema fluid, red blood, and mononuclear cell infiltration at 3200mg/kg of Viscum album (Acacia albida) leaf extract. The heart had multifocal areas of mild necrosis of the myocytes with 3200mg/kg Viscum album (Azadirachta indica: neem) leaf extract, and multifocal areas of moderate haemorrhages with 3200mg/kg Viscum album (Psidium guajava: guava) leaf extract. Conclusion: Aqueous extracts of Viscum album in this study had bioactive components that could be toxic.