Toxicity Studies on Aqueous Stem Bark of Khaya senegalensis Extract of Kidneys and Its Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Khaya senegalensis is a genus of seven species of trees in the mahogany family Meliaceae, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. Mahogany in English, Aganwo in Yoruba, Madachi in Hausa and Ono in Igbo. All species become big trees 30–35m tall, rarely 45m, with a trunk over 1 m trunk diameter, often buttressed at the base. The leaves are pinnate, with 4-6 pairs of leaflets, the terminal leaflet absent; each leaflet is 10–15 cm long abruptly rounded toward the apex but often with an acuminate tip.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the Toxic effect of prolonged oral administration of the aqueous stem bark of Khaya senegalensis extract on the histology of Kidneys and its biochemical parameters in wistar rats.

Methods: This work is an experimental research. A total of 20 wistar rats were randomly divided in to 5 groups each of which consist of 4 rats. Group 1 received distilled water to serve as control while group 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 500 mg/kg bw, 1000 mg/kg bw 2000 mg/kg bw and 4000 mg/kg bw of the aqueous extract respectively for 60 days after which they were sacrificed, processed in Automatic Tissue Processor machine, Sectioned and stained with H &E.

Results: There was statistical significant increase in urea and potassium in all the test groups but is not dose dependent. The creatinine was significantly increased in groups 2, 4 and 5. While other parameters such as sodium, chloride and bicarbonate no significant difference when compared to the control group. The kidney sections showed normal structure in group 1 when compared with the test groups. However, there was significant infiltration of inflammatory cell across all the groups which were suggestive of kidney damage or injury. Similarly phenomenon was noticed in group 5 with additional congestion in the glomerulus and more polymorphs seen.

Conclusion: The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg bw, therefore, 400 mg/kgbw was used as higher dose in the experimental wistar rats. There were statistical significant increases in some parameters groups while some groups not significant. The kidney section showed significant infiltration of polymorphs across all the groups more marked in group 5 with distension and damaging of the glomerulus indicating renal injury.