Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia on the kidney of adult Wistar rats.

Abstract

Background: Alchornea cordifolia is counted among the plants traditionally used in several African countries for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, inflammatory, malaria, etc.
Aim: This research aimed in evaluating the possible effects of alchornea cordifolia on the kidneys of adult wistar rats.
Methodology: Rats of both sexes (n=30), with an average weight of 197g were randomly assigned into 6 test (n=5) and control (n=5) groups. Rats in the test group were given the aqueous extract of alchornea cordifolia leaf at a single dose of 100mg/kg, 250mg/kg,
500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg body weight daily for thirty days through the orogastric tube administration while the control group received equal volume of distilled water ad libitum. Rats were sacrificed by putting cotton wool into an enclosed container with about 45mls of chloroform as anesthesia, the rats were then placed in a supine position on a dissecting table. The Kidney was harvested and immediately fixed in 10% formalsaline for histological analysis. Blood samples were collected from abdominal aorta and heart through cardiac puncture.
Results: Findings indicated that the kidney in the test groups showed no changes of the cytoarchitecture of the renal cortical structure as compared to the control group. Findings also indicated that there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in weights (g) of the test kidney and significant increase on the urea level at dosages above 500mg/kg and no significant difference on the creatinine levels as compared to the control group.
Conclusion: It was concluded high dosage administration of alchornea cordifolia may have an adverse effect on the kidney of adult wistar rats.