ABSTRACT

Senna occidentalis is one of the most widely used herbal plants among people of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is used for various therapeutic purposes in traditional medicine. Both male and female adult rats weighing between 200 – 250kg were purchased at the animal house of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin and used for this research. The rats were selected based on their sexes into five groups of five rats per group (Group A, B C, D and E) and administration was for thirty days. Group A was the control group. Group B received 100mg/kg of Senna occidentalis extract. Group C received 500mg/kg of Senna occidentalis extract. Group D received 750mg/kg extract. Group E received 1200mg/kg of Senna occidentalis extract. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of aqueous leaf extract of S. occidentalis on the kidneys of adult Wistar rats. In this experiment, the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Senna occidentalis on the kidneys of adult Wistar rats was checked and graded doses of Senna occidentalis was administered to the laboratory animals and its effect was found to be dose dependent. Discussion based on photomicrography showed that at doses of 100mg/kg of Senna occidentalis plant extract, kidneys showed normal tubule, normal glomeruli and active interstitial congestion. At doses of 500mg/kg of Senna occidentalis plant extract, kidneys showed normal tubules, normal glomeruli and active interstitial congestion. At doses of 750mg/kg of Senna occidentalis plant extract, kidneys showed normal tubules, normal glomeruli and active interstitial congestion. At doses of 1,200mg/kg of Senna occidentalis plant extract, kidneys showed normal tubules, normal glomeruli, vascular dilatation and active interstitial congestion. Senna occidentalis showed no negative effects on the histology of the kidneys as the tubules and the glomerulus were found to be histologically normal in this study. Vascular dilatation of the renal artery in humans reduces glomerular filtration rate. Vascular dilatation of the renal artery in group E shows that the body is trying to retain fluid to dilute the high amount of plant extract administered. Discussion based on statistics showed that there was an increase in urea levels in group E when compared with control. There was also an increase in Na⁺ levels in groups B and C when compared with the control group. There was a significant increase in K⁺ concentration in group C when compared to the control group. There was an increase in Cl^- concentration in groups B, C, and E when compared with the control group. There was a decrease in HCO₃- levels in groups C and D when compared with the control group. There was also a significant increase in creatinine levels of groups C and E when controlled with the control group. There was a significant decrease in the final body weight of the animals in control group when compared with the initial body weight. Senna occidentalis has effects on the kidneys of adult Wistar rats. At low doses, the effects can be compared to that of control group so it can be used as a substitute to fight renal diseases. Higher doses can be used as anti-diuretics.