ABSTRACT

Theobroma cacao (Linnaeus) is a member of the Sterculiaceae family while the seed closely looks like a cucumber fruit and the products have been adequately consumed due to it numerous health benefits including weight reducing potentials. No adequate information on effects of cocao products at the cellular level as of now, which has propelled the present investigation. Therefore, this research was to examine the morphology of liver and kidney of Albino rats after oral consumption of cocoa bean extract. T. cacao beans were obtained from a cocoa vendor in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo state. They were identified and authenticated by an expert taxonomist in University of Benin while a voucher number (UBH_T389) was issued and a sample deposited at the herbarium. Samples were washed and sun dried for 7days and exhaustively pulverized to powder form weighing 511.4g. Twenty-five (25) in-bred male Albino rats, aged: 9-11weeks was used.  Animals were grouped into five with each group consisting of five rats (n=5). Varying concentrations (200mg/mL, 400mg/mL, 600mg/mL and 800mg/mL) were administered orally to animals in group (A to D), but group E served as the control. Experimental rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Organs (liver and kidney) were harvested and washed in normal saline after animals were cut open. The organs (liver and kidney) were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Gross examination revealed no observable color change and no apparent increase in sizes of the liver treated with higher concentrations of extract. There was no observable color change as well as no apparent change in the sizes of the kidney in all groups. Histopathology of liver treated with 600mg/mL of extract revealed moderate biphasic histological alteration ns with increasing number of vacuolations, inflammatory cells and frank red cells. Rats treated with higher concentrations of extract showed no recognizable deleterious effects in kidney sections and no visible histological changes observed in the control. This research concludes that T. cacao bean extract is not injurious to morphology of liver and kidney of rats treated with varying concentrations particularly at 600 mg/mL and 800mg/mL in this research. However, liver and kidney function investigations should be carried out in a follow up study to support this report.