Effects of Aqueous Extract of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica) on Light Microscopic Features of Hepatic Lobule of Adult Albino Rats

Introduction: Azadirachta indica or Neem is a vital restorative plant which is generally utilized throughout the world as a house hold cure in hypertensive and diabetic patients and furthermore for the cure of different skin illnesses. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the histological effects of aqueous extract of neem leaves on the, hepatic lobules, hepatocytes and centrilobular veins of adult albino rats. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in PGMI, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore for 21 days. Material and methods: 45 Albino rats of both genders were used and they were randomly divided into three groups of 15 animals each, group A (Control), group B (low dosage) and group C (high dosage). The rats of group A received distilled water, while group B and C received 40 mg/kg and 100mg/kg of aqueous extract of neem for 20 days through the orogastric tube. At the end of complete dosing schedule, rats were sacrificed and the livers were dissected out for histological examination. Results: The livers of both groups showed deranged hepatocellular architecture with shrinkage, atrophy, hemorrhage and coagulative necrosis of hepatocyte along with dilatation and congestion of centrilobular veins. All these changes were focal affecting one lobule more than the other. These alterations were more marked in high dosage group than the low dosage pvalue< 0.001. Conclusion: The present research work demonstrates that the higher doses (100mg/kg) of neem extract induce remarkable histological effects on liver.