Psidium guajava leaf extract: effects on rat serum homeostasis and tissue morphology

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of chronic daily administration of ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava leaf on rat serum homeostasis and tissue morphology over a period of 7 days. The animals were divided into two groups (Groups A & B) of five rats each. Group A received distilled water which is the vehicle for the ethanolic extract administration. Group B received 150 mg/kg rat weight of the ethanolic extract of P. guajava. The rats were sacrificed and samples prepared after 1, 3, 5 and 7 daily doses. There was significant increase in the serum urea and creatinine relative to control group (P 0.05). Results from the histopathological examinations of tissues revealed apparent loss of cellular architecture in animals treated with the ethanolic extract relative to control group. Observation of portal tract inflammation and scattered necrotic spots in the liver of ethanolic extract treated animals showed severity with progression of daily administration of the extract. Histolological observations of kidney in the treated group revealed tubular congestion and pronounced inflammation, which also increased in severity with progression of daily administration of the extract. We provide evidence that the daily administration of the ethanolic extract of P. guajava leaves altered the serum homeostasis and produced pathological changes in selected rat tissues.