DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Abstract
This study looks at how male albino Wistar rats’ kidney histoarchitecture is affected by an aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina, sometimes known as the bitter leaf. Bitter leaf is known to contain a variety of bioactive chemicals with potential therapeutic effects, and it has long been utilized for medical purposes. Nevertheless, there hasn’t been much research done on how bitter leaf extract affects the structure of kidney tissue. Twenty male albino Wistar rats were used in this experiment. They were split into two groups at random: the test group received Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract orally for 28 days straight, while the control group was given distilled water. The rats were put to sleep at the end of the treatment period, and their kidneys were removed for pathological examination.
The kidney tissues from the control group showed normal architecture upon histopathological inspection, with intact renal tubules, glomeruli, and interstitial spaces. On the other hand, kidney tissue of rats given Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract showed changes in histology. These changes included glomerular hypertrophy, tubular dilatation, and moderate interstitial inflammation. The results confirm that bitter leaf is a herb that has been traditionally used for several health issues, including kidney problems.
The results are consistent with earlier studies showing structural alterations in the kidney caused by long-term treatment of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous leaf extract. To clarify the underlying mechanisms and ascertain the possible long-term effects of bitter leaf extract on renal function, more research is necessary. These results emphasize the need of using herbal medicines with caution and regulating dosage, adding to the increasing body of knowledge about the therapeutic benefits and possible drawbacks of Vernonia amygdalina.
Chapter One
Introduction
Background to the Study
Traditional medicine has been using medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes for millennia. The plant Vernonia amygdalina possesses a number of therapeutic qualities, such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. The purpose of this work is to examine the impact of Vernonia amygdalina aqueous stem extract on the kidney histoarchitecture of male Albino Wistar rats. Native to West Africa, Vernonia amygdalina is also called bitter leaf. The possible impacts and advantages of its aqueous leaf extract have been investigated.
Aguoru, Nwaoguikpe, and Udebuani (2021) examined how Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts affected the activity of liver enzymes and blood glucose levels in rats that had alloxan-induced diabetes. The purpose of their study was to investigate how Vernonia amygdalina leaf may help control blood sugar levels and liver function in people with diabetes. Subsequently, Ajayi & Ogunleye (2020) examine the possible hypoglycemic (lowering blood glucose levels) and hypolipidemic (lowering lipid levels) effects of an aqueous Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract on rats that have alloxan-induced diabetes. Rats with diabetes induced by alloxan were utilized as a model by the researchers to assess the effects of the plant extract. After giving the Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract to diabetic rats, the researchers observed alterations in the rodents’ lipid profiles and blood glucose levels. In rats with alloxan-induced diabetes, Ezeonu & Ejere (2018) examine the impact of Vernonia amygdalina stem bark extract on multiple metabolic markers. After giving it to the alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the researchers examined a range of biochemical measures, including insulin and blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, kidney function markers, oxidative stress markers, and other pertinent health and disease indicators.
The term “histoarchitecture” describes the microscopic arrangement and composition of an organ’s tissues. This instance focuses on the kidney, an essential organ in the body that filters waste materials, controls electrolyte balance, and preserves fluid equilibrium. Using water as a solvent, the active ingredients in the Vernonia amygdalina plant’s stems are extracted to create the extract. Usually, the rats would be split up into one or more experimental groups and a control group by the researchers. The experimental groups would get varied doses or concentrations of the aqueous stem extract, while the control group would receive a placebo or an alternative medication devoid of Vernonia amygdalina’s active ingredients. The rats would be given the prescribed therapies for a predetermined amount of time during the study, and at the conclusion of the treatment period, histological examinations would be performed on their kidneys. Using these methods, kidney tissue samples are obtained, processed, and thin sections of the tissue are stained to improve visibility under a microscope. Under a microscope, researchers study the dyed kidney tissue slices. They compare and evaluate the histoarchitecture of the kidneys in the experimental and control groups. The structure and organization of kidney tissues, including the renal tubules, glomeruli, blood arteries, and interstitial spaces, are examined for any discernible modifications or alterations. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether administration of Vernonia amygdalina’s aqueous stem extract affects the kidney’s microscopic structure in any discernible way. Possible discoveries can include modifications to the morphology of cells, adjustments to the arrangement of tissues, or any indications of injury or healing within the kidney tissues.
The effects of Vernonia amygdalina stem extract on the microscopic structure of the liver and kidney in Wistar rats were examined by Okolie and Ezejindu (2018). The researchers gave the stem extract to the Wistar rats and looked at the microscopic makeup of the kidney and liver tissues to assess its effects. Using a microscope, tissue sections are examined for structural alterations, cellular anomalies, or indications of damage during a histological examination.
In their study, Iwuagwu et al. (2018) sought to determine how Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract affected the adult Wistar rats’ kidneys’ histology, or microscopic structure. Adult Wistar rats were used as an animal model in this investigation. In their experimental study, rats were given varying dosages of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract for a predetermined amount of time. The rats were put to sleep at the end of the treatment period, and their kidneys were removed for pathological examination. The findings of their investigation showed that adult Wistar rats’ kidneys had histological changes as a result of receiving leaf extract from Vernonia amygdalina. Ademola et al. (2017) investigate how Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract affects adult Wistar rats’ renal and liver histology. The investigators concentrated on evaluating the possible histological alterations brought about by the administration of leaf extract from Vernonia amygdalina in these essential organs. The rats in the experiment were given various dosages of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract over a predetermined amount of time. The rats were put to sleep at the end of the treatment period, and samples of their liver and kidney were taken for histological examination. To see if there were any histological changes, the tissues were prepared, sectioned, and stained. Their study’s findings imply that Vernonia amygdalina use might have an effect on these organs’ histology, which calls for more research to determine the underlying mechanisms and its therapeutic applications.
In their 2015 study, Omonua, Salawu, and Appl examined Vernonia amygdalina’s possible nephroprotective and antioxidant effects on Wistar rats’ nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin. According to their statement, kidney impairment is a documented side effect of the widely used chemotherapy drug cisplatin. Wistar rats were used in the trials, and the rats were split up into various groups by the researchers. While some groups received cisplatin only, others also received an extract from Vernonia amygdalina in addition to cisplatin. The study measured levels of renal indicators and oxidative stress markers, among other factors associated with kidney function. Their study’s findings showed that giving Vernonia amygdalina extracts to the Wistar rats considerably reduced the nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin.
Statement of Problem
Using histological techniques, the researchers will evaluate and compare the histoarchitecture of the kidneys in the control group with the experimental groups in order to ascertain whether the administration of the extract has any discernible effects on the microscopic structure of the kidney. Finding any discernible modifications to the composition and arrangement of kidney tissues is the aim of a study examining the impact of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) aqueous stem extract on the renal histoarchitecture of male Albino Wistar rats. Research publications by a number of researchers in the past substantiate the “Effect of the aqueous stem extract of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on the histoarchitecture of the kidney of male Albino Wistar rats.” “Histological Effects of Vernonia amygdalina on the Kidney of Albino Rats” by Aliyu et al. (2020) is one such study that used histology techniques to examine the effect of the extract on the kidney tissues of rats. The potential therapeutic impact of the extract on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats was assessed in “Evaluation of the Renoprotective Effect of Vernonia amygdalina on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats” by Iheanacho et al. (2021). Scientific proof on the possible advantages and disadvantages of Vernonia amygdalina extract on rat kidney tissues may be found in these and other investigations. It is significant to remember that although studies on the effects of Vernonia amygdalina’s aqueous leaf extract have yielded encouraging results, additional research is required to completely understand its methods of action, potential side effects, and ideal dose. In light of this, research is being conducted to completely understand the processes of action, possible side effects, and ideal dose range for Vernonia amygdalina.
Aim of the Study
In essence, this study will look at any possible harmful or therapeutic effects of the extract on the rat kidney tissues. The plant Vernonia amygdalina possesses a variety of therapeutic qualities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. On the possible effects of the extract on the renal tissues of rats, there is, nevertheless, a dearth of scientific data. The specific goal of this investigation is to ascertain whether the extract has any potentially harmful or therapeutic effects on the kidney tissues’ histoarchitecture in male Albino Wistar rats. Additionally, the study attempts to present empirical data regarding the possible advantages and disadvantages of Vernonia amygdalina extract applied to rat kidney tissues.
Specific Objectives of the Study
The following objectives guide the proceeds of this experimental research work:
- To determine the effect of the aqueous stem extract of vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on the histoarchitecture of the kidney of male albino Wistar rats.
- To determine the possible changes in the histoarchitecture of the kidney tissues of male Albino Wistar rats following the administration of Vernonia amygdalina extract.
Significance of the Study
The research delves into the significant significance of examining the effects of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract on the microscopic kidney structure in male albino Wistar rats. The possible consequences of this research for comprehending the therapeutic applications and medicinal qualities of this plant extract make it extremely important. Bitter leaf, or Vernonia amygdalina, is a plant that grows throughout Africa and is well-known for its traditional medical uses. Its leaf extract has long been utilized in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses, including diseases of the kidneys. However, until this study, the precise effects of the extract on the kidney’s microstructure were largely unknown despite its widespread use.
The kidney’s cellular arrangement and structure, or its histoarchitecture, are essential to its proper operation. Any modification to the histoarchitecture has the potential to impair renal health and hasten the onset of renal disorders. Evaluating the potential therapeutic effects or potential negative consequences of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract requires an understanding of how it affects the kidney’s histoarchitecture.
Through the use of male albino Wistar rats—which are frequently employed as animal models in biomedical research—the study seeks to provide light on how the leaf extract affects the microstructure of the kidney. Because of the controlled environment provided by this model, researchers are able to make more accurate findings on the extract’s effects on the histoarchitecture.
The scientific and medical communities will find considerable value in the study’s conclusions. Researchers can gain a better understanding of the processes through which Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract may exert its possible therapeutic effects by examining the changes in the kidney’s microstructure following exposure to the extract. Additionally, when using the extract for therapeutic purposes, it can assist in identifying any potential hazards or negative effects that should be taken into account.
The study’s findings will add to our understanding of Vernonia amygdalina’s pharmacological characteristics and their uses in the treatment of kidney-related illnesses. Investigations into natural substances such as Vernonia amygdalina as potential alternative therapeutic choices could lead to new drug development paths and better patient outcomes, as kidney illnesses are becoming an increasingly prevalent worldwide health concern. The impact of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract in aqueous solution on the kidney histoarchitecture of male albino Wistar rats is a noteworthy research topic. The results of this study will contribute to our knowledge of the therapeutic qualities of this plant extract, which may result in the creation of novel kidney disease treatments.
Operational definition of terms
- Aqueous Leaf Extract: refers to the water-based liquid extract made from Vernonia amygdalina, often known as bitter leaf. To create this extract, the plant’s bioactive components are extracted by boiling or soaking the leaves in water.
- Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf): This plant species is frequently referred to as bitter leaf. This tropical shrub, which grows throughout Africa, is well-known for its therapeutic qualities. Here, it alludes to the particular plant material that was utilized to make the aqueous leaf extract.
- Histoarchitecture: Explains how the tissues are arranged and structured inside an organ. It refers to the organization and microstructural arrangement of the renal tissues in male albino Wistar rats in this study.
- Kidney: An organ in charge of controlling blood pressure, preserving electrolyte balance, and filtering waste and extra fluid from the blood. It particularly refers to the kidneys of male albino Wistar rats in this context.
- Male Albino Wistar Rat: Refers to a particular strain of lab rats that are frequently employed in scientific research and are called Albino Wistar rats. It specifically refers to male rats of this breed in this study.
- Effect: This study examines the effects or modifications seen in the kidney tissue’s histoarchitecture following the administration to male albino Wistar rats of Vernonia amygdalina’s aqueous leaf extract. The purpose of the study is to find out how the extract influences kidney tissues’ structural makeup and organization.
