Kidney-Induced Injury from Native Herbal Drugs: A Case Study of Certain Herbs Used in the Management of Infertility in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Infertility is a global concern among married couples. Severally treatment approaches have been used over the years to proffer solution. This research aims at investigating the kidney–induced injury from native herbal drugs-case study of certain herbs used in the management of infertility in Calabar. A total of 18 Wistar rats weighing 150 - 250 grams were separated into 3 groups of 6 rats each and 2 groups were administered with 200 mg/kg each of ethanol and n-hexane combined extracts for 7 days. Results showed that ethanol and n-hexane extracts groups significantly affected the renal tissues of the experimental animals. While in control group, a section of the kidney showed normal findings of glomeruli and renal tubules. The ethanol extract group showed swollen glomeruli with deeply stained mesangial cells while the n-hexane extract group showed the glomeruli had a hypocellular mesangium causing a peri-arteriolar mesangial haemorrhage. Ethanol extract group and n-hexane extract group showed injury to the renal tissues on histology.