Abstract

ALVARADO-RICO, Sonia  and  CASTRO, Ligia. Histology of Rat Livers Treated whit a Leaf Infusion of Fig Plant (Ficus Carica). Case report. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Vet. [online]. 2010, vol.51, n.2, pp.099-103. ISSN 0258-6576.

The liver is the major organ involved in the processes of detoxification and biotransformation of drugs and toxic substances, which can cause serious lesions. Medicinal plants have long been used as curative agents without taking into consideration their side effects to the individual. For example, infusions of Ficus carica leaves have been traditionally taken by pregnant women in an empirical way. This investigation described those liver histology of rats subjected to the ingestion of an infusion of Ficus carica leaves. A total of twenty female Sprague-Dawley (320-350 g) rats was allotted into two groups: group I or control (G I): 10 rats which received tap water for 7 d; Group II (experimental group): 10 rats which received an infusion of Ficus carica leaves for 7 d. The results showed a moderate liver congestion and collapsed hepatic sinuses in three zones of the hepatic lobule in GII. Also, cellular hyperplasia was evident (P≤0.05) in rats from the same group. The intracytoplasmic glycogen was qualitatively lesser than in GII compared to GI. Collagen and reticular fibers kept their normal distribution pattern. Although research on the possible toxic effects of Ficus carica is scarce in our region, it is mandatory to warn health professionals about the possible impact this plant could have on both pregnant women and their newborns.

Keywords : Animal histology; Liver; Rats; Females; Infusion; Ficus carica; Lesions.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )