Reversibility, Body Weight and Histo-architectural Alterations in the Anterior Pituitary Gland of Aqueous Azadirachta indica Extract Fed Wistar Rats

Abstract

Several studies have reported the importance of neem plant (Azadirachta indica) with results showing it to be both medicinal and pharmacological in the property. However, little or no available record(s) relates its effect on body weights and the anterior pituitary gland. Consequently, the current study investigated the effect of aqueous extract Azadirachta indica on the anterior pituitary gland using Wistar rats as an experimental model. Twelve (12) healthy male Wistar rats of between 130 – 150 g were grouped as follows; Group I (normal control) received normal rat feed ad libitum, experimental groups II and III received normal feed + 200 mg/kg and normal feed + 300 mg/kg of aqueous leave extract of Azadirachta indica respectively. For each group, Body weights were checked weekly for a total of three (3) weeks. At the end of the experiments, the animals were sacrificed, and histology of the pituitary glands was assessed. Result in a statistically insignificant increase (p< 0.05) in body weights of control compared with experimental rats, with mild observational elevation in pituitary histo-architecture for experimental compared to the control group. Thus, reversal weights are very supportive factors of Wistar rats and the histological effect of Azadirachta indica on the anterior pituitary gland in Wistar rats. The study also observed axonic fibres (using H and E x 10) with neural tissues in 200 mg/kg extract-treated rats, implicating an increase in cellularity, mild vascular congestion and tissue separation on Wistar rats.