ABSTRACT

 The kidney, which plays a vital role in body homeostasis and excretion ofmetabolic waste could be affected by the toxicant; thioacetamide. The aim ofthis study was to investigate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on renal function and kidney histology ofthioacetamide induced toxicity in wistar albino rats. Twenty (20) wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups of four rats each. Group A: Normal control group received only normal saline for 7 days orally. Group B: Negative control group received thioacetamide 2 days prior to start of experiment and normal saline for 7 days. Group C: Positive control group received thioacetamide 2 days prior to start of experiment and 50mg/kg body weight of silymarin for 7 days. Group D: Received thioacetamide 2 days prior to start of experiment and 250mg/kg body weight of extract for 7 days. GROUP E: Received thioacetamide 2 days prior to start of experiment and 500mg/kg body weight of extract for 7 days. All rats were humanely sacrificed after overnight fast and blood harvested via jugular vein and examined for renal biochemical indices and histology using standard protocol. Results indicated increased urea and creatinine and mild mesangial fibrosis and interstitial haemmorrhage in thioacetamide treated rats possibly indicating a disruption of renal tissue integrity. However silymarin and extract-treated rats showed reduced urea and creatinine and preserved renal tissue similar to Normal control. The study indicates that while thioacetamide is possibly reno-toxic, Hibiscus sabdariffa may contain properties that may ameliorate thioacetamide-induced renal toxicity.