Histological Effect of Aqueous Extract of Tamarind Pulp on the Cerebral Cortex of Adult Wistar Rat

Investigation on the effect of aqueous extract of tamarind pulp on the histoarchitecture of cerebral cortex in 25 adult Wistar rat under five treatment groups including control, conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus. The rats were grouped into 5 groups. Groups A, B, C and D were the experimental groups exposed to 200,400, 600 and 800mg/kg while group E was the control group and received food and water only. Extract was administered orally for 21 days after which the animals were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The results showed there was significant increase in the mean body weight of rats in all groups at the final stage compared to the initial. This shows that the extract administered did not adversely affect the body weight of rats in the experimental groups. The sections of cerebral cortex of the rats in all the groups (A, B, C, D and E) showed normal layers of cells. In conclusion tamarind has no adverse effect on the histology of the cerebral cortex of adult Wistar rats.