LAUSR

Address for Correspondence: Kebe E. Obeten, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. E-Mail: [email protected] Background and objective: Cassava leaves (Mannihot esculenta Crantz) are largely consumed as vegetable in Africa the present study explored the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Mannihot esculenta Crantz, on the microanatomy of the liver of adult Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Twelve adult Wistar rats weighing 110-150g were distributed into three groups of four rats each. Group 1 served as the control group which received 0.3ml of normal saline, while group 2 (low dose group) received 0.2ml of the extract and group 3 (high dose group) received 0.5ml of the extract. The effect of the extract on the body weight and liver histology was evaluated. After the end of the administration (day 14), the weight were taking before sacrifice. The Liver were excised and fixed in 10% formal saline, and processed for rapid routine paraffin embedding. Tissues were stained with routine Haematoxylin and Eosin, observed under a light microscope and micrograph were taken. Results: Result shows significant difference (p<0.05) in weight gain between control and the treated groups. In the low dose group histology revealed degenerative atrophic hepatocytes while sinusoidal dilatation was observed in the high dose group of the treated groups. Conclusion: From the results obtained from the study, it could be deduced that; the administration of aqueous leaf extract of Manihot esculenta at the doses given induces observable pathological effect on the histology of the liver and may be concluded to have adverse effect on the dosage administered.