ASSESSMENT OF HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS ON THE LIVER OF ALBINO RATS

“Telfairia Occidentalis” also known as fluted pumpkin is one of the most commonly consumed leave in Nigeria, which serves as a multi purpose use such as culinary and medicinal. The study was, to assess the haematological and histomorphological changes in the liver of Albino rats following “Telfairia Occidentalis” consumption. A total of 18 adult albino rats weighing (200 - 220g) of mixed sex was obtained from the animal house at Edo State University. Animals were housed in wooden cages with wire gauze under uniform husbandry conditions of day light, night darkness, room temperature with wood shavings as their bedding materials and allowed two weeks acclimation. Rats were divided into four groups: an experimental group (B, C and D)) receiving a diet supplemented with “Telfairia Occidentalis” and a control group (A) receiving a standard diet. Group B was administered 200mg/kg body weight while group C was administered 400mg/kg body weight and group D 800mg/kg body weight of “Telfairia Occidentalis” extract. After 4 weeks (28days), the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform upon inhalation and blood samples for hemoglobin and WBC were collected straight from the heart into EDTA container. The liver tissues were harvested and placed in container with 10% natural buffered formalin for onward tissue processing. The result had significant increase in weight of rats treated with Telfairia Occidentalis when compared with those administered water and feed only. The rat weight increased in all groups (B, C, D) when compared with control group A. Haematocrit value (PCV) was observed to increased significantly in groups administered varied concentration of Telfairia Occidentalis when compared to those that was administered feed and water only. Heamatocrit values were significantly increased (P