HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS SCENT LEAF (OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM) ON THE KIDNEY OF ADULT WISTAR RAT

ABSTRACT Introduction: Medicinal plants have been utilized for centuries across various cultures for their potential health benefits. These plants contain bioactive compounds which contribute to their pharmacological activities. Ocimum gratissimum, commonly known as "Scent leaf," is a medicinal plant rich in flavonoids. It has been traditionally used for its therapeutic benefits. The kidney is an essential body organ as its responsible for homeostasis and filtering of toxins from the body and they are available in pairs in the human body. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the subchronic administration of scent leaf (Occimum gratissimum) on the kidney of adult wistar rats. Method: Twenty wistar were divided into four groups [n=5] in which the Group A is the control group feed with just distilled water and feed, Group B received 300mg/kg of Ocimum gratissimum extract, Group C received 400mg/kg of Ocimum gratissimum extract and lastly Group D received 500mg/kg of Ocimum gratissimum for a period of two weeks. The animals were sacrificed through cervical dislocation and organs were harvested for Histological stains and Blood samples were also collected for full blood count. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and subjected to graph pad prism. Result: The kidney weight shows a significant decrease in the lower dose (F =0.5266; P< 0.6723) The Full blood count parameters: The hemoglobin shows a significant increase in the higher dose (F = 60.00; P< 0.0001). The white blood cell shows a significant increase in the higher dose (F = 118.9; P< 0.0001).The platelets shows a significant increase in the higher dose (F = 2798; P < 0.0001). The packed cell volume shows a significant increase in the higher dose (F = 13920; P< 0.0001). The antioxdative stress markers: The catalase shows a significant increase at the higher dose (F = 739.3; P< 0.0001). The superoxide (SOD) shows a significant decrease at the lower dose (F = 32.78; P< 0.1005). The malondialdehyde (MDA) shows a significant increase at the higher dose (F = 116.6; P< 0.0001). Histological findings shows distortion of the cellular morphology at the highest dose while other groups shows normal cellular morphology. Conclusion: The study reveals that the administration of the extract can lead to both beneficial and adverse effects as the extract has been found to act in a dosage dependent manner.