HAEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

Abstract

The aqueous leave extract of Cassia occidentalis produced significant decreases in the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), and total red blood cell count (RBC) (P<0.05) but did not influence the white blood cell (WBC). Similarly the aqueous leaf extract produced histopathological lesions of the liver and kidney. These lesions include fatty changes and acute tubular necrosis in the liver and kidney, respectively. There was a dose dependent decrease weight changes in the rats given aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis. The results therefore indicate some level of toxicity in the use of this plant.


Key Words: Cassia occidentalis, Caesalpiniceae, haematology, pathology and rats


Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000: 48-51