Histomorphological Effects of Xylopia aethiopica on the Liver and Kidney of Albino Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effect of Xylopia aethiopica on the histology and morphology of the liver and kidneys, using Albino Wistar rat as experimental model. Twenty-four rats irrespective of gender were used for the study and were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 served as control and were fed with rat chows and distilled water, groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica alongside rat chow and distilled water for 21 days. The result shows significant decrease in total body weight, liver weight, and kidney weight of the three Xylopia aethiopica treated groups. Histopathological findings examination of liver reveals a mild to acute hepatitis in treated rats. On the other hand, that of the kidney reveals a dose dependent intersti tial nephritis in the treated rats. Findings of this study revealed that aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica possess some toxic effect on the liver and kidney. Indiscriminate ingestion of the extract of Xylopia aethiopica should be avoided