Abstract:
The effect of oral administration of ethanolic root extract of Jatropha gossypifolia
and prednisolone on the kidney histology and renal function of albino rats was studied to assess the safety and toxicity of the plant as an herbal remedy. The rats were divided into four groups I, II, III and IV. Group I served as control and was given feed and water only. Group II, III, and IV were subdivided into Group IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb, IVa and IVb. Groups
IIa, IIIa, and IVa received 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg/kg b.w of the extract while Group IIb, IIIb and IVb received 10 mg ,20 mg and 30 mg/kg b.w of the extract respectively plus 10 mg/kg b.w of prednisolone per day. The animals were sacrificed on day 7, 10 and 14 and their kidneys harvested and processed for histological studies. Their blood was also collected for serum urea measurement. Photomicrographs of the histological sections of Groups II, III and IV rats revealed changes compared to the control group and serum urea levels were significantly higher in these groups. Histological changes observed are consistent with glomerulonephritis and include increased urinary (Bowman's) space, shrinkage and distortion of the glomerular tuft as well as scarring of the glomeruli. Changes appear to be both dosage and time dependent and the administration of prednisolone as an adjunct did not exert any ameliorative effect. We conclude that ethanolic root extract of Jatropha gossypifolia is toxic to the kidney and causes increased urea retention in the blood.
