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Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Senna occidentalis on Rat Kidney
Isah, R.T; Mohammed, M.O; Muhammad, A.T; Sahabi, S.M; Umar, Z.U; Mahmud, R.I & Abubakar, U
Abstract
Senna occidentalis is one of the most widely used herbal plants for various therapeutic purposes in Sokoto, Nigeria. Renal
function and histopathological effects of aqueous leave extract of Senna occidentalis was investigated in Wistar rats. Preliminary
phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out using standard procedures and this was followed by an acute toxicity
study using Lorke’s method. Twenty (20) rats were randomly selected and grouped into 5 groups of 4 rats each having a control
group and 4 test groups. Aqueous leaf extract of S. occidentalis was administered orally to each test group at different
concentrations of 350mg/kg, 700mg/kg, 1500mg/kg and 3000mg/kg body weight respectively for 28days. Blood samples were
collected through cardiac puncture for electrolytes, urea and createnine biochemical analyses while the kidneys were collected
through abdominal incision for histopathological analyses using haematoxylin and eosin staning method. Data generated was
analyzed using GraphPad instat3 version 3.02 and presented as mean ± SEM, statistical comparison between groups were made
using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Bonferroni Multiple Comparison Test. Phytochemical screening
showed presence of carbohydrate, tannins, triterpenoids, proteins, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, diterpenoids and cardiac
glycosides while alkaloids and anthraquinones were not detected. The animals did not show behavioral changed nor death even
at a concentration of 5000mg/kg during acute toxicity testing. There were no significant effects on biochemical parameters
between test groups and control. Histological sections of the kidney showed well-preserved glomeruli and tubules with only few
animals showing mild to moderate sclerosis which is not dose-dependent. Oral administration of up to 3000mg/kg body weight
of aqueous leaf extract of Senna occidentalis for 28 days did not produce significant effects on the kidneys of Wistar rats thereby
suggesting its non-lethal effect on the kidneys.
Keywords
Senna occidentalis; kidney; sub-acute administration; renal function
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