Scientific African (Jul 2022)
Annona muricata mitigates glycerol-induced nephrotoxicities in male albino rats through signaling pathways of angiotensin conversion enzyme, kidney injury molecule-1, and antioxidant properties
Abstract
Objective: The ameliorative effect of Annona muricata in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in laboratory rats was evaluated. Methods: Thirty albino rats were used and were divided into five of six rats per group. The first (control) group was given distilled water (2 ml/kg) for seven days, while the second (toxicant or glycerol alone) group was given only glycerol (10 ml/kg) on day 8. The third, fourth, and fifth groups received methanol leaf extract of Annona muricata (100 mg/kg), 200 mg/kg dose of the extract, and enalapril (10 mg/kg) respectively for seven days, and on day eight all received glycerol (10 ml/kg). Serum chemistry, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and changes in blood pressure were indices of toxicity. Results: In the toxicant group, blood pressure increased significantly (p<0.05), but treatment with 200 mg/kg of the leaf extract reversed this. In biochemical analysis, the toxicant group had a significant increase in the levels of oxidative stress markers and decreased levels of some enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of the extract and enalapril reversed the trend. Histopathological changes were seen in the kidney of the toxicant group, but those treated with 200 mg/kg of the extract showed normal kidney histology with no observable lesion. The immunolocalization of angiotensin-converting enzyme and kidney injury molecule-1 in the kidney showed high expression of these proteins in the toxicant group. At the same time, enalapril and the extract caused significant downregulation of their expressions. Conclusion: Results showed that 200 mg/kg dose extract of Annona muricata could confer effective protection on the kidney due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and antioxidant properties.
