Hepatorenal histopathological morphology effects of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> leaf extracts in Wistar rats models

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina with local name ewuro (bitter leaf) is a small shrub member of the Asterceae family and is a widely used local plant in Nigeria for both therapeutic and nutritional purposes. Bitter leaf is a natural herb that is useful in taking care of the kidney and the liver. Diabetic patients can use bitter-leaf as one of their medications to prevent high sugar levels in the blood and to repair impaired pancreas. An experimental and observational study was carried out to determine the effects of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract on the kidney and liver of Wistar rats. Twenty (20) rats weighing between 150 to 250g each were randomly distributed into different groups of four rates, both male and female. The first group served as negative control and were given only water and food. 0.5ml, 1.0ml, 1.5ml, and 2.0ml of the extract was given twice daily to group two, three, four, and five respectively. The histological effect of the bitter leaf extract on the liver of the control group showed normal hepatic structure, no inflammatory cell, no significant portal or lobular inflammation nor was there any hepatocyte damage. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 showed mononuclear cell infiltrates of the portal cell tracts with absent, minimal, moderate, and severe lobular activity respectively. The histological effect of the bitter leaf extract on the kidney of the control group showed normal renal structure free of inflammatory cells. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 showed mild, moderate, severe, and severe infiltration of the interstitium by mononuclear cells. All groups showed normal glomeruli except for Group 5 which showed 25% glomeruli sclerosis.