Effects of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Persea americana (Avogado) Plant on the Kidney of Adult Wistar Rats at Different Doses

Persea americana is used in the treatment of several diseases, therefore this study is aimed at determining the effects of 30 day administration of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Persea americana plant on the kidney of Wistar rats. 30 adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six rats per group. Group A rats were fed with water and growers' mash only, while groups B, C, and D and E were administered with 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1200mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Persea americana, respectively. Orogastric tube was used for daily administration of the extract to the rats. Rats were sacrificed on the 31st day. The kidneys were removed, weighed and processed for histopathological analysis. Blood samples are also collected for urea and creatinine estimation. The results from the study showed that there was no remarkable change in the histological and biochemical integrity of the kidney except at the dose of 1200mg/kg in group E where there was an abnormal elevation of urea level. It can be concluded that at doses of 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 750mg/kg, and 1200mg/kg of Persea americana stem extract, there was no damaging effects on the kidney structure and function histologically except biochemically at 1200mg/kg.

Key Words: Persea Americana, Kidney, Urea, Cretinine, stem bark