ABSTRACT
For thousands of years, traditional medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of illnesses and problems and to prevent, treat, and cure them. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that traditional medicine is used by up to 75% to 80% of the world's population, primarily in developing nations, as either the primary form of medical care or as a supplement to it. Many nations have a high need for herbal treatments, they make up a sizeable portion of the medications used to treat numerous therapeutic categories, such as rheumatology, infectious disorders, or chronic inflammations. The belief that they are natural and secure as a result is one of the factors contributing to their widespread use. Additionally, there are therapeutic areas where current successful treatment options have temporarily run their course; as a result, in the public's eyes, plant substances may hold promise as a potential remedy. The Moringa olifera tree is a member of Moringaceae. Among commoners, it has earned its name as ‘the miracle tree’ due to its amazing healing abilities for various ailments and even some chronic diseases. Agriculturally, the plant can be grown using its seeds directly and it cuttings. If there is proper irrigation, the moringa trees can be planted at any time of the year. The tree gets to a height of about 10-12m and its trunk reaching a diameter of 30 to 45cm. The Moringa tree has been used medicinally for millennia in many different cultures throughout the world to cure a variety of conditions, including cholera, bronchitis, catarrh, chest congestion, anxiety, asthma, and skin diseases. Mercury chloride on the other hand is a well-known white crystalline solid and is a laboratory reagent and a molecular compound that is very toxic to humans. The purpose of this research is to determine the effects Moringa olifera bark on the kidney of mercury chloride induced damage on adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats of either sexes were randomly assigned into six groups, with Group A,B,C,D,E and F having five (5) adult Wistar rats in their groups. The rats were fed with grower mash feed and had free access to water throughout the research period. Group A(control) was administered 1ml of distilled water, Group B was administered daily with 5mg/kg body weight of mercury chloride only, Group C were given 300mg/kg body weight of extract only (low dose), Group D were given 1500mg/kg body wight of extract only (high dose), Group E were given 5mg/kg of mercury chloride and low dose of extract, Group F were given 5mg/kg of mercury chloride and high dose of extract. The kidneys were harvested and weighed immediately and then immediately fixed in 10%formal saline to avoid autolysis and was transported to the histopathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for tissue processing. The results from this study showed that there were significant difference between initial and final weight of the rats across the groups. There was no significant difference in organosomatic index across the groups. Statistically there was significant increase in the levels of K+, Cl-, Na+ and urea, but there was a significant decrease in the Creatinine level with the group treated with 300mg/kg Moringa olifera only. Statistically there was significant decrease in the levels of SOD and Catalase, but no significant difference in Total protein. There was significant increase in MDA in the group given mercury chloride only compared to control group. Histologically the group administered with mercury chloride induced pylonephritis and tubular necrosis. The Moringa olifera bark extract protects the kidney from the toxic effect of mercury of chloride but only at high dose.
