The Protective And Curative Effect Of Low And High Doses Of Ethanolic Extract Of Ficus Vogelii Fv On Lead Acetate Induced Reproductive Toxicity Of An Adult Wistar Rats.

Ficus vogelii is one of the locally used vegetables to cook soup. The herb has also been used as an herbal remedy for some aliments such as malaria seizure etc. This research aimed at finding out the effects of lead toxicity on the histology and physiology of the reproductive organs vagina and cervix using adult female Wistar rats and also to ascertained the role of Ficus vogelii can play in environmental lead toxicity. This research lasted for a period of 35days involving 35 adult female Wistar rats weighting an average of 250g. The rats were randomly assigned into seven 7 groups and the groups numbered as follow 1 2 3 4 5 6 and 7. Group 1 severed as negative control which received tap water ad libitum group 2 is positive control that received lead acetate solution groups 3and 5 received ethanolic extract of Fv low dose 100gkg and lead acetate solution groups 4and 6 received aqueous extract of Fv high dose 300gkg and lead acetate solution each while group 7 received ethanolic extract of Fv only. Microscopical examination of the organs showed various alterations which include necrosis oedema and denudation suspected to be as a result of lead toxicity. The lead effects on the organs were either protected or cured with the administration of ethanolic extract of Ficus vogelii from these changes caused by induced lead acetate. The organs especially group 2 presented a significant reduction in blood supply which would have been the cause of mucosa necrosis. These distortions to the walls of reproductive organs vagina and cervix can lead to female infertility. The groups that received higher doses 4 and 6 appeared to be more vascularized suspected to be as a result of blood supply restored by the extract. The extract also helped in restoring the integrity of the walls of the lower reproductive organs. The results of this study suggest that F. vogelii leave extract can serve as an herbal remedy that can be very effective in treating reproductive toxicity especially that of lead. In conclusion lead is very poisonous to all parts of the animal body and Ficus vogelii can go a long way to either protect or cure the organs against its deleterious effects and Ficus vogelii acts better in its high dose.