Histomorphologic Effect of Citrus aurantiifolia against Cadmium Chloride Induced Toxicity in the Liver and Kidney of Adult Wistar Rats

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Citrus aurantiifolia against cadmium chloride toxicity induced in the liver and kidney of Albino Wistar rats histologically.

Methods: Twenty five adult female Albino rats weighing 150±11 to 200±50 g were used for the study. The rats were purchased from the Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Science, University Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria. They were randomly assigned into five groups (A B C D& E) with each group having five rats. Group A (Control) received only food and water for six weeks (6 weeks), Group B received food, cadmium water and treatment with lime juice for six weeks (6 weeks), Group C received food, water and lime juice for three weeks. After three weeks, they stopped lime and water and were induced with cadmium chloride for 3 weeks, Group D received food, cadmium chloride for 3 weeks and after 3 week they were given normal water and treated with lime for another 3 weeks, Group E received food and cadmium water for six weeks. At the end of the treatment, the liver and the kidney of each sacrificed rat were processed for paraffin sectioning and stained with Harris hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: Photomicrographs of Groups B and C which were induced with Cadmium Chloride and treated with citrus shows area of central necrosis and central vein congested with red blood cells and also the presence of inflammatory cells which are features of liver injury can be seen.

Conclusion: There was no significant protective effect of Citrus aurantiifolia against cadmium-induced liver injury in Albino Wistar rats. Also, there was no significant effect of cadmium-induced toxicity on the kidney of the Albino Wistar rat.