MODULATING EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA LEAF ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE HEART AND LUNGS OF WISTAR RATS EXPOSED TO 1,2-DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the modulation of heart and lung histology in Wistar rats exposed to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) through the administration of ethanol leaf extract derived from Acalypha wilkesiana. As a potent carcinogen with established links to colon cancer, DMH's impact on non-target organs, notably the heart and lungs, remains a crucial area of study. Six (6) groups of wistar rats were used in the 12 weeks study, with Group 1 being the Normal Control group which wasn’t induced with DMH nor any treatment, Group 2 served as the Positive Control and were initially induced with DMH subsequently were treated with xeloda (capecitabine) a pro-drug of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU); to compare its effect against the leaf extract. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were induced with DMH and subsequently administered ethanol extract of A. wilkesiana in the doses 200mk/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg as a therapeutic strategy. Group 6 served as the Negative Control and were only induced with DMH. The findings from this study showed that DMH induction alone caused significant tissue damage in the heart and lungs. In sharp contrast, administration of Acalypha wilkesiana extract appeared to protect the histological integrity of the heart and lungs, even at high doses. Subsequent to extract treatment, lung tissues exhibited varying degrees of inflammatory responses and BALT hyperplasia; with the high-dose (800mg/kg) having the mildest response; while cardiac tissues remain unaffected. These results suggested a remarkable potential for Acalypha wilkesiana treatment to mitigate DMH-induced lung inflammation and concurrently protect cardiac health.