Body and Organ Weight Changes following Dietary Incorporation of Vernonia colorata and Vernonia amygdalina Del in Albino Rats

Objective: The study assessed the level of dietary incorporation (5% and 10%) at which processed and unprocessed Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) and Vernonia colorata (Sweet bitter leaf) could be beneficial without having adverse effects on vital body organs. Material and Methods: Forty five male albino rats weighing 90-160g were divided into nine groups of five animals each and housed in stainless steel cages with plastic base. The animals were exposed to 12 hrs light/dark cycles and supplied feed (processed and unprocessed Vernonia amygdalina and Vernonia colorata at 5 and 10% levels of dietary incorporation) and water ad libitum for 28days. Vital grower's feed served as control diet. The animals were weighed and fecal output collected weekly. They were sacrificed by dazing with a cervical blow at the end of the experimental period. The kidney, liver, intestine and spleen were excised and weighed. Results: Relative kidney, liver, spleen and intestinal weights increased significantly in groups fed diets incorporated with 10% Vernonia amygdalina and Vernonia colorata, while body weights decreased significantly relative to the control. Conclusion: These findings are indicative that feeding of the vegetable at 10% level of dietary incorporation could have significant effects on vital organs which need to be further investigated. Keywords: Body weight, organ weight, Vernonia colorata, Vernonia amygdalina, albino rats