The Histological Effect of Yaji Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Adult Wistar Rats

Histological effects of yaji extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity were studied using adult wistar rat. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 150-210g were used. They were designated into four groups of five animals each. Group A animals served as the control and received 0.6ml of distilled water. Group B received 0.5ml of yaji extract, group C received 0.3ml of carbon tetrachloride while group D received 0.5ml of yaji extract plus 0.3ml of carbon tetrachloride. The administration lasted for twenty-eight days using intubation method. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed and sacrificed using chloroform. Liver tissue was collected, weighed and fixed in zenkers fluid for histological studies. The body weight of group C animals were significantly higher (P<0.001) than the control. The group D relative liver weight were statistically similar to the control. The photomicrograph of group A showed central vein that is centrally placed, group B showed central vein and sinusoids congested, no abnormality was seen, group C showed complete distortion of the cytoarchitecture of the liver, no hepatic cell nuclei are visible, hence hepatocellular necrosis. Group D photomicrograph showed mild fibrosis around the central vein, congested sinusoid in a background of hepatocellular hypertrophy.