Practice of geophagy: effects of calabash chalk on liver, kidney and spleen in swiss albino rats

Abstract

Geophagy is the practice of consuming earth materials such as Calabash chalk. This practice is widespread in diverse countries in Asia and Africa by both the sexes and the different age groups of people. Many women and children who ingest Calabash chalk develop dependency. Many pregnant women take Calabash chalk as a remedy from morning sickness and some people also take it to lessen stomach dressing. However, harmful contents of calabash chalk such as Lead, Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide were found responsible for affecting developing brain of fetus and also, they affect the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Calabash chalk on the biochemical and histopathological changes in spleen, kidney and liver of second generation Albino Rats. To conduct this study four groups of rats were treated with only water and 0.5ml, 1.0ml and 1.ml dose of Calabash Chalk. After 33 days blood and organ samples were collected for further examination. In this study, although no significant results were found in case of blood parameters, several changes such as possible hepatocellular injury in kidney cells and sinusoidal dilution in liver cells were found in rats due to the treatment with Calabash Chalk. Cellular carcinoma was also suspected in spleen cells.