The medicinal values of some species of Mistletoes (Tapinanthus globiferus) growing in the West African sub-region have been reviewed along with some considerations of their chemistries and local uses. Studies carried out revealed that mistletoes showed hypotensive, hypoglycemic etc.This present study was aimed at investigating some effects of aqueous extract of Tapinanthus globiferus leaves on the rat kidney.

Thirty (30) adult Wister rats weighing (180-200) g were used for this experimental study. Group A served as the control group while Group B, C and D received 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg body weight of Tapinanthus globiferus leaves extract respectively orally once daily for three (3) weeks; Group E also received 300mg/kg body weight of Tapinanthus globiferus leaves extract for three (3) weeks and was later withdrawn from administration for another two(2) weeks. The animals were sacrificed after 3 weeks of administration, the kidneys harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline. Histological study of kidneys section using routine Haematoxylin and eosin staining technique was done and photomicrographs taken.

Histological observations appeared to show no significant changes in the kidney cyto architecture at all doses in treatment groups compared with control group. Statistical analysis at p-value <0.05 showed a significant increase in body weight in the treatment groups compared with control as well as increments in the kidney weight of treatment groups compared with control group.

The present work has revealed that aqueous extract of Tapinanthus globiferus leaves appears not to be toxic at doses administered.

Keywords: Tapinanthus globiferus, Mistletoes, kidney, Wister rat