Research Article

Histomorphological Effects of Crack Cocaine on the Histology of the Lungs of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Crack cocaine (or just crack) is an illegal drug which is made from cocaine. Cocaine is mostly an illegal drug that comes from the leaves of a plant called coca. When people smoke crack, they have a feeling called ”being high.” The aim of this study is to determine the histological effect of crack cocaine on the lungs of adult albino wistar rat. A total of forty (40) adult Albino Wistar rats of comparable sizes were used for this study. They were divided into four equal groups (A – D) with ten (10) rats each. Group A served as the control and the rats were given distilled water and feed only. In addition to feed and water, groups B rats were given 0.5 ml crack cocaine extract and crack cocaine extract, group C rats were given 2 ml crack cocaine extract, and group D rats were given 5 ml crack cocaine extract respectively. The drug administration was given daily for 14 days (2 weeks) and the weights of both the test and control animals was monitored before and after administration of crack cocaine extract. The administration of the crack cocaine extract was given orally. The results of this study show no significant (p ≥ 0.05) alterations in the lung histology of test wistar rats administered with crack cocaine when compared with the non-cocaine administered group. In conclusion, it’s important to emphasize that the use of cocaine has formerly been associated with adverse effects on lung histology, even in cases where immediate side effects may not be apparent which may be the case of this study. The potential alterations in lung tissue due to cocaine abuse can have far-reaching consequences on respiratory health.