Purpose: To evaluate the effect of
Cedrus deodara
(Pinaceae) root oil, used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments, on the histopathology of the liver and kidney of Wistar albino rats.
Methods: The oil was extracted from the plant root by dry destructive distillation method and
administered orally at doses of 0.5 ml and 2.5 ml per rat. Each animal group was comprised of 30 rats.
Treated and untreated group of rats were sacrificed and organs (liver and kidney) were taken out for
tissue processing and staining with haematoxylin and eosin according to the method of Bancroft and
Stevens. Microscopic examination was then carried out to observe any pathological changes in the animals.
Results: The root oil produced atrophic changes and haemolysis in the glomerular region as well as
shrinkage and shedding of glomerular epithelium in the kidney tissues. Marked dilation of the central
vein and congested blood vessels in the rat liver at both doses tested was also seen.
Conclusion: The root oil of
C. deodara (Pinaceae), at the doses administered, produced some adverse
effects on the tissues tested but these effects were not lethal. Some toxic changes in the tissues of liver
and kidney were also found.
