Effects Of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Zobo) on the Histopathology of Rattus Norvegicus

ABSTRACT

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a nutritive plant that has been consumed due to its protective properties; however, there are fewer reports documenting the chronic and excessive consumption of the extract on vital organs of the body. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the histolopathology of the vital tissue organs of albino rats. The objectives of the study were: i) to investigate the effect of the chronic and excessive consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the tissues of the heart and, ii) to investigate effect of the chronic and excessive consumption of the aqueous extract on the tissues of the liver. The albino rats for this study were acclimatized for 7 days prior to the administration of the Hibiscus sabdariffa extract to 5 rats assigned to group A, B, C, and D. The extract administration involved group A = 1000, B = 1500, C = 2000 and D = the control. After the main experiment lasting for 3-weeks, the treated rats experienced changes in such as the changes in the nuclei of some myocytes of the heart, making them hypertrophied. Meanwhile, the liver experienced a veinous/sinusoidal congestion of its tissues when compared with the control group. The effect of the extract on the heart could be due to the raised heart rate caused by the Hibiscus sabdariffa. This condition could bring about the proinflammation which damages the tissues of the heart due to congestion, which is associated with heart attack. On the other hand, the effect on the liver may be attributed to the prolonged administration of the high concentration of the extract on the activities of the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa could also raise the activities of liver maker enzymes in comparison to the control group. Suggesting that high dose of extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa may not be only toxic to the heart but the liver as well. Despite the effect on the heart and liver; future studies could explore whether the effect of the extract would be observed in other body vital organs of the rats not examined in this study.