Histopathology of tissues from albino Wistar rats poisoned with Spirostachys venenifera

Abstract

This African tree of the Euphorbiaceae family was suspected of being poisonous. It produces a copious white latex. Portions of branches were dried, ground up and fed to rats. Those receiving a diet containing 60% of the tree died within 3-8 days, and widespread tissue necrosis was found PM. The lethal dose of methanol extract ranged from 750 to 1080 mg/kg. Methanol extract inhibited the growth of cultures of staphylococci.