Histological Effects of Cassava Starch on the Liver of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

assava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and its products have been widely studied and reported to have been of great importance, although sometimes with toxic effects. Most of these effects are due to the presence of some anti-nutrient factors in cassava. This study evaluates the effects of cassava starch on the liver of adult wistar rats. A total of 20 adult wistar rats weighing about 150-200g were used in this study and were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as the control and received only distilled water and normal laboratory chow. Group 2 received 250mg/kg of starch. Group 3 received 500mg/kg of starch and Group 4 received 1000mg/kg of starch. The administration lasted for a period of 28 days and the extract was administered via oral route. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were anesthetized under chloroform vapour and dissected. Blood for serum preparation was collected through cardiac puncture for histological studies. The liver was harvested and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies.  Body weight results revealed that there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in body weight of groups 3 and 4 while group 2 had an insignificant increase (P>0.05) when compared with control. Result from liver weight had an insignificant increase (P>0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with control. The result of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with control. The result of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with control. The result of alkaline phosphotase (ALP) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with control.   Histopathological findings of the liver of the tested groups revealed that there was moderation, mild portal inflammation in the hepatocytes when compared with control. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of starch caused hepatocellular injury, and biochemical alterations of the liver enzymes.

Keywords: Cassava, Starch, Plants, Wistar rats, Body weight