Evaluation of Possible Nephrotoxic Potential of Gliricidia Sepium Aqueous Leaf Extract in Wistar rats

Abstract

Gliricidia sepium aqueous leaf extract is used in some parts of Nigeria by herbalists in the management of sickle cell disease, its anti-sickling property have been established. This study was designed to investigate the effect of ingestion of aqueous leaf extract of
Gliricidia sepium on kidney functions in Wistar rats. Acute oral and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the leaf extract were determined according to Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423 (Limit test) and 407 respectively. At
the end of each experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples taken for determination of electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium, Bicarbonate, Chloride; urea and creatinine were assayed using standard techniques. Kidney tissues were also processed
histologically. In the oral acute toxicity study, no death or any sign of toxicities were recorded in the rats after 24 hours and up to 14 days post oral administration. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the parameters analysed between the control and the study groups in both acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies. Histology result of the kidney reveals normocytic normochromic cells. The present findings revealed that aqueous leaf extract of Gliricidia sepium is relatively safe and may not be nephrotoxic.