Histological effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Codiaeum variegatum on the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats

Background: Medicinal plants such as Codiaeum variegatum are recognized therapeutic agents and sources of the drug. The effect of ethanolic extract of C. variegatum was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: Sixteen adult Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 120 and 180 g were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to four groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 of 4 rats (N = 4) per group. The control (group 1) received 0.1 ml of normal saline, while 2, 3, and 4 experimental groups received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of the leaf extract respectively for 2 weeks. They were sacrificed on the 15th day of the experiment; cerebrum was harvested, processed, and stained using the hematoxylin and eosin histological technique. Results: Sections of the cerebrum of the experimental groups showed sparse cellular population, microglia infiltration, focal, and liquefactive necrosis when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of C. variegatum elicits an adverse effect on the cerebrum of adult Wistar rats.