Abstract

SPLEEN INTERSTITIAL AND VASCULAR CONGESTIONS BY INGESTION OF ALLIUM SATIVA (GARLIC) IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

*Idehen I. Charles, Bankole J. Kayode, Airhomwanbor Kingsley, Dic-Ijiewere Ebenezer, Okparaku Sunday, Ehimara Raphael, Osarobo Eseiwi and Aziba Confidence

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the histological effect of Allium sativa (Garlic) on the spleen using adult male Wistar rats. The experiment consisted of 30 adult male Wistar rats of (200 to 250g) divided into six groups; a control (group A) and 5 test groups (B to F) respectively treated on varying doses of garlic 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, 600mg/kg, 800mg/kg and 1000mg/kg for 4 weeks. At the end of treatments, the spleens were harvested from rats for histological processing following standard histological procedures. The histological findings showed that the spleen of the control and test group showed no marked pathological or histological alteration except for the 1000mg/kg treated group where mild interstitial and vascular congestions were observed. These results suggest that garlic may not cause any alteration in the histology of the spleen at low and moderate doses but care must be taken as the dose approaches 1000mg/kg. These findings further buttress the fact that dosage determines poison.

Keywords: Allium sativa, Garlic, Spleen, Toxicity, Histology.