Histological Assessment on Cadmium Induced Liver Damage Following Oral Administration of Moringa oleifera Oil and Anarcardium occidentale Nuts Oil in Wistar Rats

Background: Cadmium is a human carcinogen element and one of the most toxic pollutants in the environment. Present study aims at histomorphological study of some of the effects of Moringa oleifera oil and cashew (Anarcardium occidentale) nuts oil on Cadmium-induced liver damage in wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats (80-180 g) were randomly selected and divided into seven groups of five rats each after acclimatization for two weeks. Group A which served as control received phosphate buffer, Group B received Cadmium only (3.5 mg/kg body weight). Group C received Vitamin C and Vitamin E; Group D received Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Cadmium. Group E received Cadmium and Moringa oleifera oil, Group F received Cadmium and Cashew nut oil and Group G received Cadmium (3.5 mg/kg body weight) and Moringa oleifera oil and Cashew (Anarcardium occidentale) nut oil.

Results: Histological examination revealed normal histo-architecture of the liver, the central vein and the hepatocytes were seen clearly and there was orderly arrangement of the hepatocytes in Group A (control group). In group B, there was enlarged portal vein and there was distorted arrangement of the hepatocytes. In group C, the hepatocytes and the central vein were seen. In group D, the central vein and hepatocytes were seen though not orderly arranged. In groups E, F and G, there was restoration of the hepatocytes and the central vein was seen.

Conclusion: This therefore suggests that Moringa oleifera oil and Cashew (Anarcardium occidentale) nut oil have ameliorative effects which led to the restoration of the damaged and distorted hepatocytes.