Effect of aqueous extract of mistletoe leaf (viscum album) on the spleen of lead acetate-induced toxicity in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

This work is aimed at the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of mistletoe on the spleen of lead acetate-induced toxicity in rat. Twenty-five adults male Wistar rats used for this experiment were divided into five groups. Group A (control) was administered 1ml of distilled water. Low dose, 200mg/kg of mistletoe extract and 10mg/kg of lead acetate were administered to Group B. Intermediate dose, 400mg/kg of mistletoe extract and 10mg/kg of lead acetate were administered to Group C. Group D was administered high dose, 800mg/kg of mistletoe extract and 10mg/kg of lead acetate. 10mg/kg of lead acetate only was administered to Group E. The rats in each group were treated per os for 28 days. After the treatment, the animals were anaesthetized using chloroform then sacrificed. The harvested spleens were processed for histopathology. Groups: B, C and D histopathological micrograph showed no visible lesions compared to Group A while Group E splenic micrograph revealed cellular damaged. The initial weights in groups A (110.60 ± 2.29) g, B (131.20 ± 8.10) g, C (125.60 ± 13.70) g, D (124.75 ± 7.72) g showed significant (p<0.05) difference with final weights in A (174.00 ± 7.80) g, B (159.80 ± 8.12) g, C (157.60 ± 11.57) g, D (196.00± 15.98) g. Group D had the highest final weight gain. The spleno-somatic indices of treated groups: A-E were not significantly different at p>0.05. The Viscum album extract had ameliorative and protective effects against the toxic effect of lead acetate on the spleen of Wistar rats.