ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Various researches had shown that Nigella sativa has diverse characteristics some of which include bitter, pungent, aromatic, appetizer, stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, anthelminthic, acrid, thermogenic, carminative, anodyne, deodorant, digestive, constipating, sudorific, febrifuge, expectorant, purgative and abortifacient. This present study was aimed at investigating some of the effects of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa on cadmium induced splenic damage of Adult wistar rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four (12 males, 12 females) wistar rats of average weight of 182g were divided into four groups of six (3 males, 3 females) rats each. Group A was the control while Groups B-D were the experimental groups. Group B received 794.3mg/kg of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (AENS) orally for 21 days, Group C received 3.5mg/kg of cadmium sulphate intraperitoneally and 794.3mg/kg of aqueous extract of Nigella sativa orally for 21 days and Group D received 3.5mg/kg of cadmium sulphate intraperitoneally. The animals were sacrificed on the 22nd day, the spleen harvested and fixed in Bouins fluid. Histological analysis of splenic section using routine (H&E) staining technique was done and photomicrographs taken. The animal/organ weights, white blood cell count and differentials were analysed using SPSS version 17.

RESULTS:  Histological section in Group B showed normal trabeculae, normal white and red pulp like the control group. Group C showed a normal white and red pulp and the trabeculae, sinusoids were also normal. Group D showed vesiculations with vacuoles in both red pulp and white pulp and indistinct trabeculae. Comparing the groups with the control Group A, Group B had the lowest body weight loss (-23.33g) and the spleen weight was lower than the control. Group C had the highest body weight loss (-50.00g) and the spleen weight was the lowest of all the four groups. Group D had the intermediate body weight loss (-25.00g) and the spleen weight was higher than the control. Comparing with the control Group A, Groups B-D had white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophil count and lymphocyte count higher than the control with Group C having the highest WBC count neutrophil count and eosinophil count. Eosinophil count was present only in groups A and C.   

CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggested that aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (AENS) had ameliorative/protective effects on cadmium induced splenic damage in adult wistar rats. 

 Keywords: Nigella sativa, cadmium, splenic damage, wistar rats.

            TABLE OF CONTENT

                                                     PAGES

ABSTRACT.                                      1

CHAPTER ONE                                2    

CHAPTER TWO.                              12

CHAPTER THREE.                          37

CHAPTER FOUR.                            42

CHAPTER FIVE.                              53

REFERENCES.                                 55

APPENDIX.                                      62