Background and Objective. Rice husk remains a key by-product of rice milling generated in significant amount. Accumulated evidence indicates that rice husk contains numerous bioactive compounds; however, its application is limited. This study was designed to introduce an in vivo application of rice husk extract, against opioid-induced liver and kidney injuries. Codeine was considered a psychotic inducer in this study due to its global alarming misuse recently. The hepatorenal ameliorative proclivity of rice husk extract against codeine-induced toxicity on the liver and kidney in male albino Wistar rats was examined. To this effect, thirty-six (36) albino Wistar rats of weight 100-110 g were utilized and weight-matched animals placed in 6 groups of 6 rats each. After 30 days of the combined administration of codeine and the rice husk extract, the experimental animals were assayed for basic liver and renal markers such as AST, ALP, ALT, total protein, albumin, conjugated and total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate). Rice husks were collected from a local rice mill, and the extraction was done with methanol. Findings. Rice husk extract (RHE) significantly ameliorated the recorded hepatic damage. More so, the extract showed a significant action on the renal markers as well. A histopathology examination of the liver and kidney tissues revealed that RHE showed a hepatorenal ameliorative potential in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion. Phytonutrient from RH possesses a healing ability against opioid-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Thus, RH is safe for human and may be adopted to obviate and manage codeine-induced hepatorenal damage or injury. Significance and Novelty. Data on the application of RHE as a phytonutrient to combat liver and kidney injuries were demonstrated. Future studies should evaluate its potential on other organs.

Oryza sativa (rice) is a widely consumed staple grain with significant amount of fibre, carbohydrate, and trace amount of other biomolecules such as minerals and vitamins. Thus, it’s a good energy source. The pre-clinical and clinical investigations of rice hull has revealed its numerous health benefits. Utilization of rice products as dietary supplements, additives and pharmacological adjuvants has become a global trend. Rice husk (RH), is a by-product of rice milling generated in tremendous quantity. Considering the global trend in codeine consumption especially by the youths, this study adopted codeine as a drug of abuse as against its therapeutic use as an analgesic. The study explored the haematopoietic potential of rice husk methanol extract (RHME) in codeine-administered male Wistar rats. A total of thirty-six (36) rats weighing between 100-110g were procured and assembled into 6 groups of 6 rats. Group I was the negative control (NC), Group II received codeine at 10mg/kg body weight, Group III received 10mg/kg body weight of RHME, while Groups IV, V, and VI received codeine with RHME concurrently but at three different concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000mg/kg respectively. After 30 days of treatment, blood samples of the specimens were subjected to haematological assay. From the assessment, codeine administration significantly decreased the haematological indices (PCV, haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, platelets, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte), while RHME administration significantly upregulated the altered blood parameters concentration. Thus, RH showed haematopoietic efficacy and should be considered a possible therapeutic for prevention and/or management of anaemia as well as boosting of key haematology indices.