Pathological study of braken fern (Pteridium aquilinium)‎ toxicity in rats

Abstract EN

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 .