Studies of Morphology and Serum Biochemistry of the Kidney of Wistar Rats Treated with Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Abstract

-Cassava leaves (Mannihot esculenta Crantz) are largely consumed as vegetable in African, but contain a toxic compound, cyanide. The present study explored the assay for liver enzymes on adult Wistar rats. Twelve's adult Wistar rats weighing 110-150g were distributed into three groups of four rats each. Groups 2 and 3 were administered orally with M. esculenta leaf aqueous extract at 0.2ml and 0.5ml respectively for 14 days. Group 1 was control and received 0.3ml of normal saline. The effect of aqueous extract of M. esculenta on the body weight, liver enzyme was evaluated. After the end of the administration (day 14), the weight were taken before sacrificed the next day. Rat's liver were excised and fixed in 10% formal saline, then processed for rapid routine paraffin embedding. Our results showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the body weight gain between control and the treated groups. Serum chemistry revealed significant decrease (p<0.05) in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in animals treated with 0.2ml and 0.5ml of the extract relative to the control. From the results of this study, it may be concluded that the administration of aqueous extract of Mannihot esculenta leaf is toxic to Wistar rats at the dose administered.