ABSTRACT
Mercuric chloride is a dangerous substance that when touched or breathed in a lot it can cause serious illness. High exposure can result in quick death. Long term exposure can lead to problems like trouble sleeping, slow reactions and other severe heath issues. Medicinal plants have been used in treatment of various ailments because of the active phytochemicals present in them. One of such plant is tamarindus indica. Several reports have indicated that the phytochemicals in T. indica possesses multifaceted actions, including anti-oxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-diabetic effect amongst others. The spleen is an organ located beneath the ribcage on the left side of the abdomen. Its primary functions include filtering blood, removing old or damaged red blood cells, storing platelets, and supporting the immune system by producing white blood cells and antibodies. This study aimed to determine the effects of Tamarindus Indica seed extract on spleen damage induced by Mercuric chloride in adult Wistar rats. A total of twenty five rats with average weights ranging between 181-280 grams, were used for duration of thirty days. The rats were divided into five groups (A-E), each consisting of five rats. Group A (the control group) received a diet of pelletized growing mesh and distilled water. Group B received 1ml Mercuric chloride only, while Group C received Tamarindus indica at 500mg/kg body weight. Group D was given both Mercury chloride at 1ml and 250mg/kg body weight of Tamarindus indica, while Group E received a combination of Mercuric chloride at 1ml and 500mg/kg body weight of Tamarindus indica. Upon completing the study, the rats were sacrified using chloroform for anesthetization. The spleens were removed, fixed in 10% formal saline, and processed for tissue analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin stains were used for subsequent histological examination, along with antioxidant enzyme estimation. T.indica and mercury chloride on the body weight and spleen, mercuric chloride caused significant weight loss when compared to the control and its initial weight. Mercuric chloride only and also there was a reduction in spleen weight for rats administered Tamarindus indica only and plus mercury chloride when compared to rat given mercury chloride only. Mercuric chloride exposure leads to increase MDA level, reduction in SOD, Catalase, Glutathione, and Glutathione peroxidase activity. Tamarind and its antioxidants properties help reduce MDA levels while increase the others. The results indicated that Mercuric chloride caused severe damage to the spleen, including disruptions in the lymphoid system's normal structure, arteriolar dilatation, congestion, vascular ulceration, and spleen enlargement. However, both 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg Tamarindus indica extracts showed an ameliorating effect, resulting to normal architecture of the spleen,reducing some of the induced spleen damage to moderate levels and restoring the AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF Tamaridus indica SEED EXTRACT ON MERCURIC CHLORIDE-INDUCED SPLEEN DAMAGE IN ADULT WISTAR RATS.
