Abstract
This study evaluated the toxicological response of rats and guinea pigs to Cycas in feed. Ten rats and guinea pigs were randomly designated into two groups for each animal. The control groups were fed with a normal diet while the experimental groups were fed with the Cycas-containing feed for 6 weeks. The effect of the Cycas feed on the animals’ liver, kidney, and colon were evaluated using biochemical and histological assays. The result of the experiment showed changes in body weight and tissue (liver, kidney, and colon) antioxidant levels. Additionally, the animals on the Cycas diet observed an increase in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The histology result for both the rats and guinea pigs revealed that cycasin present in the plant is a potent colon carcinogen, it induced hyperplasia in the colon cells which is a great pointer towards abnormal cell division and hence cancer. We predicted that the plant via its induction of oxidative damage and depletion of tissue antioxidants could drive tissue toward tumorigenesis in both animals. There were significant changes between the (p<0.05) values derived from the different animals. Guinea pigs were more susceptible to the negative effects of the cycasin.
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