Effect of aqueous extract of Irvengia gabonensis on acetaminophen induced Nephrototoxicity in rats

Abstract

The use of medicinal plant to prevent and/or cure liver problems is a practice not peculiar to developing countries. This research work evaluated the nephrocurative ability of aqueous seed extract of Irvengia gabonensis on Acetaminophen Induced Nephrotoxicity. A total of thirty albino rats were grouped into six groups (GI – GVI) of five rats each. GI served as normal control, GII served as positive control, GIII, GIV and GV were administered with the extract at a dose of 50mg/Kg, 100mg/Kg and 150mg/Kg respectively while GVI rats were administered with standard drug (Vit E) at a dose of 10mg/Kg. Kidney damage was induced in groups (II-VI) using 800mg/Kg of acetaminophen administered orally, rats from group I and II were euthanized24 hours after acetaminophen administration to confirm inducement of kidney damage. Groups III, IV, V and VI were administered with the respective doses for two weeks. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in mean serum level of Urea, Potassium (K+), Chloride (Clˉ) and Creatinine with a significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of serum Sodium (Na+) and Bicarbonate (HCO3ˉ) was observed when compared with positive control. The nephrocurative effect of the plant could be due to its reported secondary metabolites contents.