Effect of Erythrina variegata and Spondia spinnata bark powder on cadmium induced pathological changes in rats

Forty two, six month old, albino wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups. All groups except group I which served as control were given cadmium chloride @100mg/L of drinking water. Silymarin @100mg/kg bwt in group III and EVBP and SPBP @ 1 and 2% in groups IV, V, VI and VII, respectively were given in feed for 90 days. After 90 days, the histopathological changes were characterized by vascular and inflammatory changes in kidneys, liver, lungs, heart and brain. Histopathological changes were severe in only Cd treated rats while mild to moderate changes were found in EVBP and SPBP treatment groups. On electron microscopy, ultra structure of the renal and hepatic cells showing disappearance of nucleolus, pyknosis and marginalisation of chromatin material at the periphery of the nucleus were evident in the group II. It is concluded from the present study that the bark powder of E. variegata and Spondia spinnata have ameliorative effect on tissues of these organs in cadmium chloride induced toxicity in rats.