The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Tridax procumbens on Potassium Bromate Induced Toxicity in the Kidney of Wistar Rats

Aim: To investigate the histological effect of ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens leaf commonly used as medicinal plant, on potassium bromate induced nephrotoxicity in adult Wistar rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu Nigeria /within three months.

Methodology: Twenty adult wistar rats weighing between 160 – 180 g were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group A served as the control and received distilled water only for 14 days, Group B received 100 mg/kg of potassium bromate only for 14 days, Group C received 300 mg/kg of T. procumbens leaf extract only for 14 days and Group D received 100 mg/kg of potassium bromate + 300 mg/kg of T. procumbens leaf extract simultaneously for 14 days. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were weighed, anaesthetized and sacrificed. The kidneys were harvested and weighed. Statistical analysis using one way ANOVA and Dunnett’s post hoc test was done for all parameters measured. The significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: There was significant decrease in mean body weight of group B animals (178.0±4.55 to 162.3±2.59) and significant increase in kidney weight of group B animals (0.75 ± 0.02) when compared to the control and other treated groups. Extract of T. procumbens inhibited potassium bromate induced weight loss and increase in kidney weight. Histologically, there was no significant pathology of the kidney tissue after treatment with T. procumbens.

Conclusion: From this study, it can be deduced that ethanolic extract of T. procumbens leaf produced significant protective effect against potassium bromate induced toxicity in the kidney of Wistar rats.