Ocimum gratissimum and crassocephalum crepidiodes are used commonly in traditional medicine to treat certain diseases. This study accessed the histological effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum and crassocephalum crepidiodes leaves on the kidney of adult Wistar rats.
Ten adult Wistar rats were assigned into two groups (A and B) of 5rats each..
Group A serve as the control and was fed with rats feed and saline solution, Group B serve as the experimental group and was fed with rats feed, free access to water and given a dose of the extract(8.75mg/kg) for 14 days orally. At the end of the experiment, rats were brought out of their cages and were anaesthetized with diethyl ether. They were dissected from the abdominal cavity upward to their chest level to unveil their abdominal structures and the rats were disposed off after the removal of the organ needed (kidney).
Histological study of the kidney showed normal glomerulus and degeneration in epithelial lining of tubules and also showed congested renal interstitial and normal glomerulus of group administered with Ocimum gratissimumand crassocephalum crepidiodes when compared with Control groups.
Both plants may be useful in culinary dishes and also in the treatment of certain ailmentsbutsystemic toxicity is also possible. Caution should therefore be exercised in the therapeutic use of the plant.
