Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Piper guineense (Uziza) on the Kidneys of Paraquat-Induced Adult Male Wistar Rats
Mbah Chikodili Adolphus *
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Okwuanga, Nkiruka Lilian
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Irinmwinuwa Eric Omo
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Oyate Godwin Bernard
Department of Nursing Sciences, Ebonyi State College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Nwanama Emmanuel Kenechukwu
Department of Nursing Sciences, Sancta Maria Catholic College of Nursing Sciences, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria.
Ezejimofor Perpetua Eberechukwu
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Paraquat (PQ) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants.
Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effect of an ethanolic leaf extract of piper guineense on the kidneys of paraquat-induced adult Wistar rats.
Methods: In this study, rats were divided into six groups. The control group (group A) received distilled water, and 20mg/kg of Paraquat was induced in groups B, C, D, E, and F; group C received 200mg/kg, group E received 80mg/kg, and group F received 100mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense, respectively. The animals were treated for 28 consecutive days. After the urea and serum creatinine collection, kidney histopathology was investigated.
Results: PQ increased relative organ weight, urea, and serum creatinine levels, but it significantly decreased body weight across groups B and D. In the groups treated with piper guineense, urea and creatinine decreased compared with the PQ group, and body weight levels increased. Severe intra-renal inflammation and haemorrhage, necrotic debris around the hemorrhagic area, was seen histopathologically. The effects were ameliorated in Groups E and F, which received variable doses of the ethanolic leaf extracts of P. guineense.
Conclusion: The obtained findings revealed that P. guineense leaf extract, used as a preventive compound, was able to reduce kidney dysfunction and tissue damage caused by PQ toxicity in the kidney.
Keywords: Piper guineense, paraquat, kidneys, histology