Assessment of the Effect of Neem Extract (Azadirachta indica) on Aluminium Phosphide Induced Toxicity in Adult Wistar Rat

Abstract

Aluminum phosphide (ALP), also known as rice tablet, is a well-known fumigant used in grain storage facilities. It is a greenish-gray tablet with a rotten fish or garlic odour. Rice tablets contain ALP, urea, and ammonium carbamate, which produce phosphine gas (PH3) when exposed to water, steam, and gastric acid. This research was carried out to investigate the effect of neem extract on aluminum phosphide-induced toxicity in the liver of albino Wistar rats and also to evaluate the effect of neem leaf extract on hematological parameters in aluminum phosphide-induced toxicity in adult wistar rat .Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats were grouped into five (5) groups (A-E). Group A served as the control group, Group B received aluminum phosphide only, Group C received aluminum phosphide and 200 mg neem extract and Group D received aluminum phosphide and 400mg neem extract Group E neem extract only. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique was used to study the histological morphology of the liver. Hematological investigations were also carried out. From the result obtained, white blood cells neutrophils, hemoglobin and red blood cells were reduced while platelet and lymphocyte were increased. Result shows that the group which took a higher dose of neem extract had less damage to the liver cell compared to those that took a lesser dose and aluminium phosphide alone respectively. Hence, it can be inferred that neem extract does not completely ameliorate hepatotoxicity of aluminium phosphide.