HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE LIVER OF PLASMODIUM-INFECTED ALBINO MICE AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF MANGIFERA INDICA (LINN.)

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess the histomorphological findings of the liver of Plasmodium-infected albino mice following administration of aqueous leaf extract of Mangifera indica.Methods: Forty-two male albino mice, weighing 20–25 g, were used for this research. The mice were randomly assigned into six groups A, B, C, D, E and F (n=7, each). Groups B, C, D, E and F were infected with P. berghei, while group A was administered equivalent volume of normal saline. Mice in groups C, D and E were orally administered Mangifera indica extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg body weight, respectively) dissolved in 0.2 ml of distilled water for 5 days, and those in group F were orally administered with artesunate for 5 days (3 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg body weight on the first day and on subsequent 4 days, respectively) while groups A and B were administered equivalent volume of distilled water, all administrations starting 72 hours post-infection. The animals were left for another 14 days after treatment.Results: The result showed that the extract treated groups presented dose dependent ameliorative changes in the organization of histoarchitecture such as reduction of collagen fibers, reticular fibers and hemozoins. There was a significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the percentage parasitemia in groups C, D and E when compared with group B. There was also a significant (p<0.03) reduction in Kupffer cell density in groups C, D and E when compared with group B.Conclusion: This study showed that Mangifera indica has an ameliorative effect against injury-related changes in liver histomorphology.