Toxicity Test of Apricot and Cassava by Using Albino Rats as an Experimental Model

Abstract

Toxicity tests of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.; Prunus persica (L.) Stokes) seed, and Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) root, were studied by using albino rats as an experimental model. The specimens of liver taken from the albino rats after 30 days diet on crude extract seeds of Apricot show slight enlargement, increase in weight and pallor with increased turgor as compared to the specimens from the albino rats on normal diet. Histological sections of the liver taken from 30 days diet, show small clear vacuoles within the cytoplasm representing distended and pinched off segment of endoplasmic reticulum. There were swelling and increased eosinophillic staining of the cells in a panlobular fashion. The features were of hydropic change or vacuolar degeneration. The results of the study shows the degenerative changes present in the liver persisted in focal areas in the mice fed on apricot seed and in the periportal and peribular areas in the mice fed on cassava root.