HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF HIGH DOSE SIDA ACUTA ETHANOL EXTRACT ON LIVER AND KIDNEY OF ALBINORAT

Sida acuta, commonly known as broom weed, is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine and found abundantly in tropical regions. This study assessed the acute toxicity, histopathological, and functional effects of S. acuta ethanol leaf extract on Albino rats. Thirty rats, aged 6-8 weeks, were used: 12 for toxicity testing and 18 for the main study. The 18 rats were divided into three groups of six, receiving the extract via oral gavage: Group I (control, 0.2 ml of distilled water), Group II (high dose, 0.8 ml: 500 mg/kg body weight), and Group III (higher dose, 1.6 ml: 1000 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days. The acute toxicity assessment (LD50) showed no mortality, indicating a high safety margin. Liver function tests showed moderate increases in ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels, suggesting mild liver stress, while total protein, albumin, and globulin levels remained stable. Histopathological examination revealed severe liver damage in rats exposed to CCl₄ and significant kidney damage in those treated with rifampicin. However, co-administration of S. acuta (100 mg/kg) preserved normal kidney histology, indicating nephroprotective effects. Renal function analysis indicated increased urea, creatinine, and slight electrolyte imbalances in the high-dose group, indicating some renal stress. Nonetheless, histopathological assessment confirmed no significant damage at therapeutic doses. The findings suggest that S. acuta ethanol extract is relatively safe and has significant hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties, supporting its traditional use and potential pharmacological applications.