Effect of extracts of dialium guineense stem bark on lipid peroxidation index and histological changes in kidneys of normal rats

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of extracts of Dialium guineense stem bark on lipid peroxidation index and histological changes in kidneys of normal rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 70; 35 rats per extract) weighing 160 to 180 g were divided into seven (7) groups of five (5) rats each. Group I served as control, while rats in the other groups were administered varied doses of extract (200 - 5000 mg/kg body weight, bwt) orally for a duration of 28 days. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured as well as histopathological assessment. Results: Percentage increases in body weights of rats treated with aqueous or ethanol extract of D. guineense stem bark were significantly reduced, when compared with control group (p< 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the corresponding relative organ weights and tissue MDA level among the groups (p> 0.05). Similarly, the extracts did not significantly alter the normal architecture of the kidney. Conclusion: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the medicinal plant did not elicit any deleterious effects on rat kidney.