Nephropathic Changes in Renal Parenchyma of Wistar Rats Following Sub-chronic Exposure to Methanol Extract of Caladium bicolor (Aiton)

To assess nephropathic potential of Caladium bicolor methanolic extract within the renal parenchyma of experimental Wistar rats. Twenty four albino Wistar rats (weighing between 180-195 g) were divided into four groups which include Group I treated with distilled water (2 ml/kg b.w.), Group II treated with methanolic extract of C. bicolor (100 ml/kg b.w.), Group III treated with methanolic extract of C. bicolor (200 ml/kg b.w.), Group IV treated with methanolic extract of C. bicolor (300 ml/kg b.w.). All administrations were done orally and once daily for a period of thirty five days. Body weight of animals was recorded during days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 of study. After the study period, kidney tissue of study animals was harvested, weighed and processed for histopatho logical study. Staining of renal tissue sections was done using H & E technique, examined under microscope for observable histopathological changes that were scored using image-J software.

Results of this study showed that sub-chronic exposure to methanolic extract of C. bicolor caused reduction in body and renal tissue weight. Moreover, exposure to the extract increases significantly (p < 0.05) renal histopatho logical changes including inflammation, necrosis, glomerular congestion and tubular dilatation within the renal parenchyma of study animals.

Therefore, methanol extract of C. bicolor exhibited dose-independent nephropathic effect on the renal parenchyma following a sub-chronic exposure in experimental Wistar rats.