Cassia alata alters Liver Structure in Rat

Abstract

Casia alata is a common plant in South West and its parts are freely used as herbs by the natives. 
Concomitantly, the prevalence of chronic liver disease is on the increase, thus the study was designed to investigate the effects 
of its crude extract on the rat liver structure. The methanolic extract of cassia alata was administered orally to three randomly 
grouped wistar rats with a weight range of 160-260 grammes for twenty one days. Each group had four animals and the fourth 
group served as control. The three groups received 50g/kg body weight, 100g/kg and 150 g/kg respectively of the methanolic 
extract. Lethargy was observed amongst the animals that had the extract. All the four groups had positive percentage mean 
group weight change (Group A 10.5, Group B10, Group C10.5 and Group D 29.4; Group A being the control). Microscopic 
anatomy of the liver of the rats revealed evidence of chronic inflammatory response that was most severe in the Group D wistar 
rats, the group that received the largest dose of the methanolic extract. The study was able to demonstrate that Cassia alata is 
capable of causing chronic liver injury in rats