Pathological study of Braken Fern ( Pteridium aquilinium ) toxicity in Rats

Abstract

A pathological study of braken fern ( Pteridium aquilinium ) toxicity was conducted in rats. Twenty albino rats were randomly divided in to 4 groups . The first three groups were received diet containing 10 %, 20 % and 30 % braken fern powder respectively . The fourth group was served as control. The experimental rats were sacrificed after one month . Gross and histopathological examination reveal lesions in many organs . Gross lesions revealed congestion of all internal organs , while the histopathological lesions were characterized by spongiosis , perivascular cuffing and astrocytosis in the brain . Swollen hepatocytes accompanied by vacuolation and fatty degeneration in the liver . Suppurative pneumonia with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lungs . In intestine the villi were fused with proliferation of cryptal enterocytes . Interstitial nephritis associated by degenerative changes in the renal tubular epithelial cells . Acute cystitis with edematous lamina propria and neutrophilic infiltration were seen in urinary bladder . These lesions were more sever in the group 3 incomparism with group 1 and 2 . No lesions were observed in the control group .