Authors: Ekemini I. Johnson, Ernest Akpan, Imabong Obiosio and Arinze Ibekwe
CITATION: Ekemini I. Johnson, Ernest Akpan, Imabong Obiosio, and Arinze Ibekwe (2025). Possible kidney failure induced by methanol seed extract of Azanza garckeana in pregnant albino Wistar rats. Frontline Professionals Journal 2(6), 1-9
ABSTRACT
Background: Uncautious use of herbs in pregnancy could be deleterious.
Methodology: This study was designed to investigate the effect of the methanol seed extract of Azanza garckeana in pregnant albino Wistar rats. The LD50 of the fresh seed extract was determined to be 5000 mg/kg body weight. Twenty (20) adult female Wister rats were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each. Groups 2-4 served as the experimental groups, receiving 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 1500 mg/kg body weight of extract, respectively, while Group 1 (control) received 1 ml/kg body weight intraperitoneally and served as the control group and was administered 5 ml of normal saline. All administrations were carried out intraperitoneally for 12 days. At termination, body and kidney weight and blood specimens were taken for analysis.
Result: The extract had a significant impact on the body weight of the experimental animals. There was a significant increase in the body weight of the experimental group when compared to the control group. Controversially, there was a dose-dependent decrease in body weight differences among the experimental groups as the dosage increased. Histological findings revealed dilated tubules and swollen, distorted glomeruli in all experimental groups.
Conclusion: The extract is nephrotoxic with increasing dose.