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.

To assess nephroprotective potency of methanolic extract of C. owariensis on renal histomorphology of Wistar rats during exposure to nephropathic activity of CCl4. Twenty eight (28) albino Wistar rats divided into four groups which include normal control group administered with vehicles -distilled water (1 ml/kg b.w.) and olive oil (3 ml/kg b.w.), experimental control group administered with CCl4 (3 ml/kg b.w.) twice a week, first treatment group administered with CCl4 (3 ml/kg b.w.) twice a week + methanolic extract of C. owariensis (100 mg/kg b.w.) daily and second treatment group administered with CCl4 (3 ml/kg b.w.) twice a week + methanolic extract of C. owariensis (300 mg/kg b.w.) daily for twenty eight (28) days. Phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of C. owariensis was carried out using GC-MS. The body weight of study animals was measure at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of study. Then, kidney tissue of study animals was collected, weighed and processed for histopathological study. Tissue sections were stained using H & E, examined under microscope, photomicrographs were generated and observable histopathological changes were quantified using image-J software. Phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of C. owariensis showed abundance of phenolic compounds which may in turn confer antioxidant property on the extract. Results of this study also showed that treatment with extract helped to reduce body and tissue weight loss that follows exposure to CCl4. Also, treatment with the extract helped to reduce significantly (p < 0.05) renal histopathological changes following exposure to CCl4. The methanolic extract of C. owariensis contains abundant phenolic compounds which confer antioxidant property that in turn mediate the nephroprotective potency of the extract against nephropathic effect of CCl4.

Herbal medicinal plants constitute an integral component of plant biodiversity whose application for therapeutic purposes has been a common practice since antiquity.  However, studies have reported tissue pathologies following exposure to herbal medicinal plants or extracts.  This study was carried out to assess the possible pathological effects of sub-acute exposure of methanol extract of Caladium bicolor on the hepatic histomorphology of experimental Wistar rats.  Twenty four Wistar rats were divided into four groups A-D.  Group A was administered with distilled water (2 ml/kg b.w) and groups B-D administered with 100 ml/kg, 200ml/kg and 300ml/kg b.w. of the extract respectively for twenty eight days.  The bodyweight of experimental animals was recorded at regular intervals during the study period.  After the treatment period, hepatic tissue was harvested, weighed and processed for histopathological study. The results showed that exposure to the extract causes significant (p<0.05) body and organ weight reduction, a significant increase in serum level of ALT and AST as well as prominent hepatic histopathological changes such as inflammation, necrosis and steatosis.  Sub-acute exposure to methanol extract of C. bicolor thereby causes dose-independent hepatopathy in experimental animals. Hence, its application for therapeutic purposes needs to be re-evaluated and preferably discontinued to avoid these associated hepatic tissue pathologies.

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