Serum electrolytes and renal histology of Wistar rats treated with seed extract of <i>Citrullus lanatus</i>

Abstract

Medicinal plants are frequently used in healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world because of their bioactive compounds, thus accounting for about 80% of African medicine. The kidneys are involved in one of the body’s most important homeostasis. This study evaluated the effects of Citrullus lanatus fruit juice on serum electrolytes and histology of the kidney in Wistar rats. Seventy (70) male Wistar rats were used for the study and categorized into four groups (n=9). Group 1 (control group) were fed with growers mash and water only. Animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 2.5 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg of the extract along with growers mash respectively. Findings showed a dose dependent increase in bodyweight (expressed in percentage) in all groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in serum Na⁺, Cl^-, creatinine, HCO₃ and urea in animals given watermelon seed extract (81.69±13.08; 85.22±8.25; 4.80±0.04; 27.78±5.48; 7.05±0.25) when compared with control group (102.62±7.40; 86.78±7.61; 26.90±2.46; 7.52±0.59; 28.26±5.24). However, there was significant increase in serum K⁺ level in animals given watermelon seed extract of 2.5 ml/kg group (3.77±0.12) when compared with control group (3.49±0.08). In addition, significant increase was observed in urea level in 2.5 ml/kg experimental animals (49.27±7.38) when compared with control (28.26±5.24). In conclusion, administration of Citrullus lanatus seed extract did not affect serum electrolytes level, except serum potassium, however, it caused an increase in the bodyweight of Wistar rats but show no significant alteration in histological architecture of the kidney when compared to control.

Keywords: Serum electrolyte; Renal histology; Citrullus lanatus