Effect Of Acute And Prolonged Administration Of Ethyl Acetate Fraction Of Psidium Guajava Aqueous Leaf Extract On Tissue Histology And Some Haematological Values In Chickens.

The effect of oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction of Psidium guajava aqueous leaf extract on tissue histology and red blood cell values was investigated in chickens. The study involved use of male chicks of ISA brown cockerel breed that were orally exposed to the extract acutely to determine the median lethal dose and daily sub-lethal dose were administered for 28 days and effects on body weight, red blood cell parameters and tissue histology was evaluated.  In acute toxicity study, single oral arithmetic doses of the extract were given to test groups with the control group given normal saline. The oral LD50 was calculated to be 1800 mg/kg bd. wt. For the effect of prolonged administration of the fraction, daily administration of graded doses of the extract were given to test groups for 28 days and a control group was given normal saline. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in weight gain compared to control. No significant (P<0.05) changes in red blood cell values between extract treated groups and that of the control. Generalised mononuclear cellular infiltrations observed in all organs were indicative of cellular degenerative changes and could be attributed to possible stimulation of the immune system by the extract. The high LD50 of the extract was therefore, an indication of low toxicity however, lesions observed suggested that the fraction should be used with caution.