Histopathological Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Maerua angolensis on Thioacetamide Induced Liver Cirrhosis of Wistar Rats

Introduction: Cirrhosis is defined as the histological development of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous bands in response to chronic liver injury that leads to portal hypertension and end stage liver disease. Although the causes are interwoven, some pathological characteristics are common to all cases of liver cirrhosis, including degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, and replacement of liver parenchyma by fibrotic tissues and regenerative nodules, and loss of liver function. Presently, effective strategies to treat liver cirrhosis are still lacking, treatment is based on the underlying cause, in advanced cases, a liver transplant may be required.

Mearua angolensis known as bead bean tree is a shrub or small tree, usually growing 5 - 6 metres tall but with reports of some trees up to 10 metres tall. The plant is often rather rambling, with spreading or drooping branches. The bole is rarely straight. A multipurpose tree, harvested from the wild for local use, mainly as a medicine. The tree is attractive, ornamental for garden planting especially in the drier parts. It is commonly found growing in bush and rocky areas but planted on graves in Nupe area of Nigeria.

Aim: This study aims to determine the anti-cirrhotic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Mearua angolensis on induced cirrhosis on gross appearance of liver of wistar rats.

Methodology: This study made use of 25 rats. This was divided into 5 groups, consisting of 5 rats each. Group 1 serve as control administered with normal saline, while other groups were induced with Thioacetamide to establish liver cirrhosis. Group 2 was not treated with anything (positive control). Group3. 4. And 5 were treated with Low, Moderate and High doses of the extract respectively. At the 8 weeks of the experiment all animals were sacrificed. The livers were excised, washed with normal saline, weighed and Gross pictures were taken.

Results: Macroscopic, studies were done which revealed that; Thioacetamide administration induced, marked portal to portal fibrosis and hepatic cells surrounding central vein showed various degenerative changes. The rats had a significantly low food and water intake of medium dose group and high dose group compared to normal controls. Livers of rats treated with thioacetamide and later with the various doses of Maerua angolensis leaf extract showed significant restoration at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. There was histological regeneration of the nodules compared to those rats treated with thioacetamide only.

Conclusion: The results of acute toxicity studies showed LD50 to be greater than 5000mg/kg body weight. The entire groups induced with thioacetamide shows micronodular surface of the liver with significant improvement in the treated groups Food and water intake of each group. Food and water intake was not significantly different from each when compared with control group There was micronodular appearance on the surface of the induced groups which was gradually decrease with treatment with extract.