Jornal de Citologia e Histologia

Effects of Four Herbal Plants on Kidney Histomorphology in STZ-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Komolafe OA, Ofusori DA, Adewole OS, Ajayi SA, Ijomone MM and Fakunle JB

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of four herbal extract and their efficacy on the histomorphometry of the kidney in STZ induced diabetic rats with a view to understanding their antidiabetic properties. Forty- two healthy adult Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) with an average weight of 153.4 g were randomly divided into seven groups (n=6). STZ (65 mg/kg) dissolved in citrate buffer was administered intraperitoneally to animals in groups (B-G) while animals in group A received equivalent volume of citrate buffer. Plant extracts (100 mg/kg) were administered daily (orally) to animals in groups C-F and glimepiride (anti-diabetic drug) to animals in group G for fourteen days. After the expiration of the study the animals were sacrificed and the kidneys were excised, fixed in 10% formol saline for histology and morphometric analysis. The glomeruli of the diabetic group were atrophied which is validated by significant decrease in its density, shrinkage and increased bowman’s space. These observations were also characterized by diminished cellular proliferation, decreased cellular volume and ischemia. The histology and morphometric analysis revealed that the kidney in the group treated with Psidium guajava shows a better histoarchitectural outline of all the four plant extracts used. This present study therefore suggests that Psidium guajava could be a better alternative therapy in ameliorating diabetic-associated disorders of the kidney.