Background: Food and herbal usage of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) is attaining improved global relevance and acceptance without recourse to its potential toxic effects. This study investigated the safety profile of acute, sub-acute, subchronic administrations and diuretic potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (AEHSC). Method: Acute oral toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity as well as diuretic studies were carried out on HS. A total of 20 Wistar rats were used for each toxicity study and assigned into four groups of five rats. The extract was administered as a single daily dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (bwt) for 28 and 90 days respectively. To evaluate diuretic activity, 25 rats were divided into five groups of five rats and administered normal saline, hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/kg, AEHSC 67.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg via the oral route. Urine sample was collected after 18 h, volume measured and concentration of electrolytes analyzed. The hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated as well as the histopathology of kidney and liver. Results: The acute oral toxicity was found to be >2000 mg/kg. AEHSC did not alter concentration of WBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocyte as well as total and direct bilirubin in the sub-acute study. However, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased total protein, albumin, globulin, Na þ , Cl À , HCO 3 and platelet levels, while levels of uric acid, creatinine, K þ , RBC, Hb, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C and atherogenic index were decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In the sub-chronic study, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of globulin, urea, creatinine, MCH and atherogenic index. The concentrations of uric acid, WBC, platelets and HDL-C were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. In both the sub-acute and sub-chronic studies, activities of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT and LDH in selected organs were altered without significant increase (P < 0.05) in activity of these enzymes in the serum. The AEHSC at all the doses showed remarkable diuretic activity during 18 h period comparable to hydrochlorothiazide. The extract also showed a non-dose-dependent increase in excretion of electrolytes. Histological analysis of sections of the liver and kidney for both sub-acute and sub-chronic studies showed normal histology comparable to the control group. Conclusion: This study revealed AEHSC has some toxic effects in rats on sub-chronic administration. In addition, the extracts produced a significant diuretic activity. Hence, prolonged oral consumption of the extract may not be recommended.

Objective:To report clinical findings suspicious of glaucoma among primary school children in Ilorin, Nigeria.Methods:A cross sectional survey of ocular health among 1,393 school children carried out between July 2005 and January 2006. Criteria for suspecting glaucoma included a cup disc ratio (CD) of > 0.5, a CD asymmetry between the fellow eyes of > 0.2, and/or intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21mmHg by applanation tonometry.Results:Eleven (6 boys and 5 girls) of 1,393 pupils (0.8%), aged between 7 and 13 years, had ocular findings suspicious of glaucoma. Twenty two eyes of 11 pupils had a CD ratio ≥ 0.6, and among these 5 eyes had IOP > 21. Three of the pupils had a CD asymmetry of > 0.2.Conclusion:A significant proportion of these Nigerian school pupils had clinical signs suggestive of glaucoma. A functional school health programme with eye health component coupled with efficient referral system is advocated.

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Background: The leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (CZ) is used in traditional medicine for the management of various conditions including kidney disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effects of leaf extract of CZ on rat kidney toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. Method: Male albino rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats and treated for 5 days with aqueous extract (200-400 mg/kg) and n-butanol fraction (20-40 mg/kg) of CZ. Carbon tetrachloride (2 ml/kg of 40% in olive oil) was administered subcutaneously for 3 days and the rats were treated with the extract and fraction for 3 days. Animals were euthanized on day 8 with intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (60 mg/kg) and xylazine (7.5 mg/kg). Blood sample was collected for the analysis of serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine. Kidney tissue was harvested to determine the antioxidant enzyme activity. Results: Carbon tetrachloride produced increased serum sodium ion, chloride ion, urea and creatinine with decreased superoxide, catalase, glutathione, oxidized glutathione and an increase in malondialdehyde concentration. Treatment of rats with the aqueous leaf extract and n-butanol fraction attenuated the toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride on kidney with a significant decline in serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine and a significant increase in the concentration of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: Results from this study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract and n-butanol fraction of CZ had protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced renal toxicity in rats, thus justifying the consideration of this plant for the management of kidney disease.