Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Telfairia occidentalis on the Histology of Kidneys of Lead-Induced Wistar Rats

Objective: This research study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occendentalis on the histology of kidneys of lead-induced wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty-five (25) male wistar rats weighing 150-180g were procured and acclimatized for two weeks, after which, they were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each, and were housed in cages. The groups were designated as groups A – E. Group A served as the control group and was not induced with lead (Pb), while Groups B – E were induced. Groups A received distilled water only, Groups B – E received vitamin C, vitamin C + 100mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract Telfairia occendentalis, vitamin C + 400mg/kg ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occendentalis and vitamin C + 800mg/kg ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occendentalis respectively for 14 days through oral route with the aid of oral gastric tube. On the 15th day, the animals were weighed and sacrificed via chloroform inhalation, and kidneys were harvested from the rats for histological study. Results: Histopathological findings showed normal renal architecture with glomeruli (G), renal tubules (RT), tubular cells (TC), and normal cuboidal epithelial cells(CEC) within the medullar for animals in group A; moderate degeneration with moderate fatty changes (FC), moderate intra renal hemorrhage (IRH), and moderate renal inflammation (IRI) for animals in group B; mild regeneration with moderate fatty changes (FC), tubular atrophy (TA), and moderate renal inflammation (IRI) for animals in group C; moderate regeneration with mild fatty changes (FC), and mild renal inflammation (IRI) for animals in group D; and moderate regeneration with mild fatty changes (FC) otherwise normal with well outlined tubular cells (TC) for animals in group E. Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of Telfaria occendentalis have ameliorating effect on the histology of kidneys of lead-induced wistar rats, and the ameliorating effect improves with increase in the dosages of the leaf extract.