Necrotic and Inflammatory Changes on Acute Studies of Siam Leaf (Chromolaena Odorata) Alcoholic Extract on Lead Induced Toxicity of Cardio-Pulmonary Morphology of Adult Albino Wistar Rats.

Abstract

Human exposure to lead and its compounds occurs mostly in lead related occupations with various sources like leaded gasoline, industrial processes such as smelting of lead and its combustion, pottery, boat building, lead- based painting, lead containing pipes, battery recycling, grids, arm industry, pigments, printing of books, etc. Though its widespread use has discontinued in many countries of the world, it is still used in many industries like car repair, battery manufacturing and recycling, refining, smelting, etc. Lead is a highly poisonous metal affecting almost every organ in the body. Of all the organs, the nervous system is the mostly affected target in lead toxicity, both in children and adults. The toxicity in children is however of a greater impact than in adults. This is because their tissues, internal as well as external, are softer than in adults. Long-term exposure of adults can result in decreased performance in some tests of cognitive performance that measure functions of the nervous Cardio-pulmonary system.  Cardio-pulmonary effects of alcoholic leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata, a plant commonly used for traditional medications, was evaluated using male Wistar albino rats. Acute and sub chronic toxicity was evaluated after 14 days of exposure. The LD50 was 2154mg/kg. Alcoholic leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata used in traditional medical practice may be safe whereas high doses may have deleterious effect on the heart and lungs. Twenty-five male Wistar rats weighing 100 -160 g were used for this study. The rats were kept five each in groups A to E, totaling 25. Group A (control) was allowed diet free of Lead and were not treated with any of the extracts. Group B were administered Lead intraperitoneally. Groups C were fed and administered intraperitoneally with Lead and treated with 800mg/Kg bodyweight of alcoholic extract respectively. Group D were also fed with food, water, dose of Lead and alcoholic Extract of C. Odorata with 400mg/kg body weight and Group E were given food, water and a high dose of the alcoholic Extract which was 800mg/kg body weight respectively. Both doses of extracts were administered daily to the rats using oro-gastric tube in line with body weights. The duration of this study was (21) twenty-one days after which the rats were sacrificed under sedation with chloroform. Organs were collected, fixed in 10% formal saline, processed, sectioned and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining procedure at the Histopathology laboratory of Niger Delta Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), microscopically examined at X10 and X40 magnifications for histopathological diagnosis. Results showed degenerative changes in the heart and lungs of some of the experimental adult albino wistar rats.