Histopathological study of the kidney after administration of methanolic extract of roots of Leptadenia hastata in the Albino Wistar rat

Introduction: the roots of Leptadenia hastata, (L hastata) are remedies from the Senegalese pharmacopoeia and are as widely used as the leaves. However, few researchers have devoted themselves to their toxicity, unlike the leaves. However, in the traditional pharmacopoeia, the indications for use are very different. The aim of our study was to study the effect of the administration of methanolic extracts of roots of L hastata on renal tissue, using an animal model. Materials and Methods: a cohort of 18 rats was studied with a random distribution of the animals in 3 groups (n = 6). The first group was the control group. The treated groups (Group II and III) received the methanolic extract of L. hastata with an administration of 500 mg / kg / day and 1000 mg / kg / day respectively, for 28 days. Results: The dose of 1000 mg / kg / day was lethal in group III, from the first week in females. Serum creatinine was significantly higher in rats given the root extract. There was kidney damage with vacuolar degeneration starting at 500 mg / kg / day. The lesions were more severe in group III with glomerular involvement characterized by retraction in the renal corpuscles. Conclusion: If the leaves of L hastata seem to be safe for consumption according to the majority of authors in the literature, the roots of this same plant could be harmful. In addition to the lethality observed at the doses tested, the lesions in the renal parenchyma would be dose-dependent.