Ameliorative Effect of Vernonia amygdalina Plant Extract on Heavy Metal-Induced Liver and Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

Figure 2

Cross sections in the cortex of the kidney stained with H&E. (a, b) Renal tissue of the control group demonstrating normal appearance of glomerular tuft, urinary space, Bowman’s capsule, proximal tubules, and distal tubules with their nuclei. (b, c) Renal tissue of Cu only treated rat showing disruption of Bowman’s capsule accompanied with acute cortical necrosis (red circle) and shrinking and degeneration of glomeruli (yellow circle). (d) Renal tissue of Pb only treated rat showing evidence of disrupted Bowman’s capsule accompanied with acute cortical necrosis. (e, f) Renal tissue of both Cu and Pb recovery group rats, respectively, showing evidence of milder form of shrinking and degeneration of glomeruli (yellow circle) and severe disruption of Bowman’s capsule accompanied with acute cortical necrosis. (g–i) Renal tissue of rat treated with heavy metals + 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg of EEVA, respectively, showing improvement in glomerular tuft and renal tubules, with normal Bowman’s capsule histoarchitecture (mic. mag. (a, b, e, g, h, i) ×100; (c, d, f) ×400).