SMU Medical Journal

D. N. Ezejindu ¹, A. J. Akingboye ², I. E. Chukwujekwu ¹, A. C. Ihim ³, G. U. Ndukwe ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, NG
2 Department of Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State,, NG
3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, NG
4 Department of Anatomy, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, NG

Abstract

Symphytum officinale (comfrey) ischolar_main and leaf have been used since Roman times, dating back thousands of years. This herb has been utilized in folk medicine throughout Europe and North America and has been widely cultivated as a garden medicinal specifically for its reputation for healing various internal and external wounds. This study is aimed at investigate the effects of aqueous leaf extract of Symphytum officinale (comfrey) on the spleen of an adult wistar rats. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 180-210g were used for the study and were allocated into four (4) groups of five (5) animals each. Group A served as the experimental control and were orally administered 0.3ml of distilled water; while groups B, C & D orally administered 0.2ml, 0.4ml and 0.6ml of aqueous leaf extract of Symphytum officinale respectively for twenty eight days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed and weight were recorded, anaesthesized using chloroform inhalation method and dissected. Organ (spleen) tissues were harvested, weighed and trimmed down to a size of 3mm×3mm thick and fixed in 10% formalin for histological studies. The final body weight of groups C and D decreased significantly (P<0.005) when compare with the control group A. the relative organ weight of groups C and D animals increased significantly (P<0.005) when compare with the control group A while group B were statistically similar with the control group A. Histological findings revealed distortion of the spleen cells of the experimental groups C and D.

Keywords

Symphytum officinale, Wistar Rats, Distilled Water, Organ Weight, Spleen.

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