Authors: Joshua Asante Nyarko, Christopher Larbie, Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, Richard Sedeafor, Frederick Sarfo-Antwi.
Kidney injury is a health problem that results in organ failure, subsequent dysregulation of body’s electrolytes and volume, and abnormal retention of nitrogenous waste. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nephroprotective activity of Dialium guineense aqueous extract against Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Damage in Rats. Kidney damage was induced in animals through intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7 mg/kg per day, (i.p.), on the 3rd day while oral administration of aqueous extract of Dialium guineense fruit pulp (ADF) at 100 mg/kg b.wt., 250 mg/kg b.wt, and 500 mg/kg b.wt. and Silymarin (at 100 mg/kg) was for seven consecutive days (Day 1 to Day 7). The nephroprotective potential was determined by measuring organ weight changes, serum biochemical markers (ALT, AST, creatinine, and urea), body electrolytes (Na, K, and Cl), and histopathological observations. The extracts had alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and tannins. Rats treated with cisplatin showed significant increases in relative organ weights, ALT, ALP, creatinine, and urea levels. However, no significant difference was observed in body electrolytes after cisplatin induction or co-treatment with extract. Co-treatment with ADF at all doses, especially 100 mg/kg b.wt., significantly reversed these biomarkers to near-normal levels. Histopathological examination of the kidney confirmed the protective effects of ADF against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity damage, with ADF at 100 mg/kg b.wt showing the highest percentage nephroprotection. The results indicate that the aqueous extract of Dialium guineense fruit pulp has nephroprotective properties against cisplatin, which may be partly due to the phytochemicals present in the extract.
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