ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 12 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The effects of aqueous extracts of the leaves of HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS Linn. on renal function in hypertensive rats
Imafidon E. Kate1 and Okunrobo O. Lucky2*
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Accepted 28 September, 2018
Abstract
The leaves of HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS Linn. (Family Malvaceae) have been used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various human diseases such as aphrodisiac, hypertension, wound healing, diabetes mellitus and cancer. In this present study, the effect of 200 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract on the renal function of hypertensive rats was investigated. The administration of H. leaves extract shows a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the Na+ level of normotensive rats, thus it may interfere with the normal function of the kidney and hence produce increased salt retention. These results had shown that although H. ROSA-SINENSIS leave extract reduced blood pressure; the integrity of the kidney may be compromised when this plant is used for the treatment of hypertension.
Key words: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, hypertension, rats, leaves, blood pressure, kidney.