Renal Safety Evaluation of Ethanolic Root Extract of Icacina Trichantha in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Icacina trichantha is widely utilised in traditional medicine in several parts of West Africa for the management of various ailments. However, information regarding its effects on renal function following repeated exposure remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of repeated administration of I. trichantha root ethanolic extract (ITREE) on renal function and kidney histology in male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 5). Group I served as the control and received distilled water, while Groups II, III, and IV received 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw) of ITREE respectively by oral gavage for 28 days. Serum electrolyte concentrations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and HCO₃⁻), urea, and creatinine were determined using standard biochemical methods. Kidney tissues were examined histologically using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Significant reductions in serum potassium and chloride concentrations were observed in all ITREE-treated groups compared with the control group. Serum sodium concentration was significantly reduced in the 200 mg/kg bw and 1000 mg/kg bw groups, while bicarbonate concentration decreased significantly at 500 mg/kg bw and 1000 mg/kg bw. Serum creatinine concentrations were significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with the control, whereas serum urea showed a modest reduction only at 500 mg/kg bw. Histological examination revealed preserved renal glomerular and tubular architecture in most treatment groups, although mild interstitial lymphocytic infiltration with congestion was observed in the 200 mg/kg bw group. These findings indicate that repeated administration of ITREE altered serum electrolyte concentrations without producing marked renal structural injury within the duration of the study. Further studies involving longer exposure periods, larger sample sizes, and additional renal biomarkers are recommended to further clarify the renal effects associated with prolonged ITREE exposure.