Scientific African (Mar 2023)
Ameliorative potential of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf extract (subsp. macrophylla) on cyanide-induced renal damaged Wister rats
Abstract
Background: Recently, phytomedicine have been applied in the management of various diseases related to toxicity. In addition, attention has been on cyanide toxicity due to its harmful effects on man and animals. Thus, this research was carried out to determine the effect of Acalypha wilkesiana methanol leaf extract on cyanide induced renal damage in rats. Methods: 45 female Wister rats randomly divided into 7 groups were used for this study. Group 1:received neither cyanide nor methanol fraction of Acalypha wilkesiana (MFAW), 2 and 3 received different doses of MFAW respectively, 4 received cyanide only, 5 Rats received cyanide and sodium thiosulphate. 6 and 7 received cyanide and different doses of MFAW respectively. Renal markers (urea, creatinine, sodium, bicarbonate, potassium and chloride electrolytes) and antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde, catalase, gluthathione peroxidase) were assessed in the kidneys using standard biochemical procedures. Results: Renal markers showed significant elevated levels of creatinine, urea and serum electrolytes in the untreated rats. However, treatment with methanol leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana significantly (p<0.05) reduced the cyanide-induced increase of creatinine, urea, serum electrolytes levels of sodium ion, potassium ion, bicarbonate and chlorine ion irrespective of the dose. Additionally, antioxidant status indicated a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase with a concomitant decrease in catalase, superoxide dismutase as well as reduced glutathione and glutathione S-transferase, in untreated rats. However, treatment using the leaf extract modulated the cyanide induced mop up of these antioxidants and the rising glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in the kidney of rats exposed to cyanide irrespective of the dose of the extract. Conclusions: The present study indicated that methanolic leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana conferred protection to the kidney of rats against chronic cyanide toxicity by ameliorating renal indices and up regulating antioxidant response.
