Original Research Article The Effects of Aframomum Melegueta Aqueous Extract on the Kidneys of Adult Wistar Rats

Aframomum melegueta seeds have long been used as a spice and traditionally as a medicine. The effects of Aframomum melegueta aqueous extract were studied. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 180-215kg were used. They were grouped into four groups (A, B, C & D) of five animals each. Group A served as the control and was orally administered with 0.35ml of distilled water; the experimental groups B, C & D were orally administered with 0.55ml, 0.65ml and 0.75ml of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta respectively for twenty eight days. The animals were weighed after the last administration, anaesthetized under chlorine vapour and dissected. Kidney tissues were reviewed, weighed and trimmed down to a size of 3mm × 3mm thick and fixed in 10 % formalin for histological studies. The experimental groups ’ body weight increased significantly relative to control. The organ (kidney) weight of the experiment groups was statistically similar with the control A. Histological examination showed no apparent toxicity on the kidney tissues