G.J B.A.H.S., Vol.2 (2) 2013:73-77 ISSN: 2319 – 5584 73 HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RAUWOLFIA VOMITORIA EXTRACT ON CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ADULT WISTAR RATS Ezejindu D.N. 1 , Okafor I. A. 1 , & Anibeze C.I.P. 2 1 Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus. Anambra state, Nigeria. 2 Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu. Abia state, Nigeria. 3 Department of Anatomy, College of Health Science, Imo State University Owerri ,Imo state, Nigeria. Abstract More than 900 drugs, toxins and herbs have been reported to cause liver injury and drugs account for 20–40% of all instances of fulminant liver failure. In the absence of reliable liver protection drugs in modern medicine, a large number of medicinal preparations are recommended for the treatment of liver disorders and quite often claimed to offer significant relief. Rauwolfia vomitoria is a medical herb which has been used over the years for the treatment of hypertension, snakebite and nervous disorders. This study was carried out to determine the effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria on rats. Twenty four wistar rats weighing between 100-175g were used. The rats were divided into four groups A, B, C and D. Group A animals served as the control and received 0.35ml of distilled water. The experimental groups B, C and D received different doses of drugs as follows: group B received 0.55ml of extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, group C received 0.41ml of CCl 4 and group D received 0.41ml of CCl 4 + 0.8ml of extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria. The drugs were administered using intubation method. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were anaesthetized under chloroform vapour and were dissected. Liver tissues were removed, weighed and trimmed down to a size of 3mm×3mm and fixed in zenkers fluid for four hours for histological studies. The final body weight of group C treated with CCl 4 were significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control and group B and D. The values for groups B and D were similar to that of the control group. Histological results showed distortions of liver architecture in group C and non distortions of liver architecture in group B and D compared to the control. The results revealed that the extract has hepatoprotective effects on drug induced hepatotoxicity of liver tissues. Keywords: Rauwolfia vomitoria, Liver, Hepatotoxicity, Wistar rats. 1. Introduction During the latter part of last century, the practice of herbalism became mainstream throughout the world. Herbs have been shown to have significant useful medicinal effects, either in their natural state or as the source of pharmaceuticals [9] . One of the plants of medicinal value from the humid tropics is Rauwolfia vomitoria. It is traditionally used in treatment of variety of ailment such as snakebites, fever and nervous disorders. From 1931, Indian doctors researched on possible utilization of Rauwolfia vomitoria in neuro-psychiatry. The extract from this plant was first extracted by Swiss chemists in 1952 and becomes the first natural neuroteptic. Today, this plant is still the source of a lot of drugs used in psychiatry [5] . In traditional medicine, the roots and leaves of Rauwolfia vomitoria are brewed as tea and used in humans for treatment of hypertension, insanity, snakebite and cholera [12] . A bioactive carboline alkaloid, alstonine, present in the root and leaf of Rauwolfia vomitoria have anti-cancer activity [6,10] while the antipyretic effect of the leaf extract has also been demonstrated [3] . Folk medicinal uses of the roots are extensive, particularly for their emetic, purgative, dysenteric, abortive and insecticidal properties [11] . Liver is the key organ regulating homeostasis in the body. It is involved with almost all the biochemical pathways related to growth, fight against disease, nutrient supply, energy production and reproduction. Because of its unique metabolism and relationship to the gastrointestinal tract, the liver is an important target for toxicity produced by drugs, xenobiotics and oxidative stress. [7] More than 900 drugs, toxins and herbs have been reported to cause liver injury and drugs account for 20–40% of all instances of fulminant liver failure. In the absence of reliable liver protection drugs in modern medicine, a large number of medicinal preparations are recommended for the treatment of liver disorders and quite often claimed to offer significant relief. Attempts are being made globally to get scientific evidences for these traditionally reported herbal drugs. This scenario provides a severe necessity to carry out research in the area of hepatotoxicity. [4] Hence, this study aims at painstakingly investigating the histological effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in adult wistar rats. 2. Materials and Method 2.1 Drug Preparation The drugs used for this research work include the following as stated below: