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

Abstract

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.

Histopathological Changes in Gastrointestinal Tissues of Wistar Rats Administered with Methanolic Leaf Extract of Caladium bicolor (Araceae)

“…Accordingly, pathological changes in gastric and intestinal tissues of experimental animals following exposure to methanolic leaf extract of C. bicolor as observed in this study can be associated with toxic effects of its constituent phytochemicals particularly the calcium oxalate. The findings of this study were in consonance with results obtained from studies by Omotoso et al [20] and Akhigbemen et al [35] wherein the findings of their study showed that exposure to C. bicolor extracts induces deleterious effects on tissues of experimental animals. Also, in affirmation of findings by Nasri and Shirzad [36] about medicinal plants, C. bicolor can potently exert toxic effects characterized by variable tissue pathologies when its application is prolonged and not regulated.…”

“…while the TGs I, II and III were administered with 100 ml/kg, 200 ml/kg and 300 ml/kg (b.w.) of methanolic leaf extract of C. bicolor respectively based on a previous study [20]. Administrations of reagent and extract were done orally and once daily for a period of thirty days with the aid of orogastric canula coupled to hypodermic syringe.…”

“…However, previous study had reported that C. bicolor leaf extract can stimulate nephropathic changes within the renal parenchyma of experimental animals following its sub-acute exposure [20]. In line with further need for toxicological profiling of medicinal plants in general and C. bicolor in particular, this study was carried out to assess the effect of methanolic leaf extract of C. bicolor on histomorphology of gastric and intestinal tissues of experimental animals.…”

Sub-acute toxicity of Caladium bicolor (Aiton) leaf extract in Wistar rats

“…The therapeutic properties of C. bicolor can be attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannins, alkaloids and saponins [30]. However, phytochemical analysis of C. bicolor also showed the presence of toxic calcium oxalate which has been implicated in pathology of internal organs such as the gastrointestinal tract and kidney [31,32]. This study was therefore carried out to assess probable pathological effect of sub-acute exposure of methanol extract of C. bicolor on hepatic histomorphology of experimental Wistar rats.…”