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*

¹Departments of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life sciences, University of Benin, Benin city, Nigeria.

²Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin city, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: bricyedo@yahoo.com. Tel: +234-7025460057.

Accepted 28 September, 2009

   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. rosa-sinensis 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.