Histological Studies on the Effects of Chronic Feeding of Vernonia Amygdalina Del. Leaves on Rats

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina (bitter-leaf tree) is a tropical plant belonging to the family Compositae and is used widely as vegetable and medicinal plant. The study was conducted to evaluate the relative safety of chronic consumption of V. amygdalina in an experimental model (Rat) based on clinical and possible pathological observations Four groups of male (Wistar) rats, aged 4-6 weeks, with average weight of 33.27g received, for 65 days, 25%(w/w), 50%(w/w), and 75%(w/w) powdered leaves of V. amygdalina Del. orally. The animals in the control group were fed on normal feed. All the animals were observed for feed and water intake daily and it was found that the difference in body weight for the treatment groups was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to the control group. After the treatment with V. amygdalina, the skin of the rats was found to be remarkably light coloured. Microscopically, the kidney, hepatic and testicular architectures were found to be normal

(Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:68- 74)



KEY WORDS:

Vernonia amygdalina, Wistar rat, Water, Feed, Body weight, Tissue, Safe