Cucumis Sativus Aqueous Extract Exhibited Nephroprotective and Hepatoprotective potentials in Cadmium-Induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health concern worldwide, affecting an estimated 10% of the global population. Hence, this study investigated the nephroprotective potential of Cucumis sativus extract on cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats.

Method: Sixteen rats weighing 100 to 180g were grouped into four groups (A to D) four rats each. Group A was control, Group B-D received 1.5mg/kg bw of cadmium, cadmium + 1mg/kg bw of C. sativus, and cadmium +2mg/kg bw of C. sativus respectively. The administration was done using gavage for 14 days, thereafter, blood samples and the liver were collected for biochemical assays. IBM SPSS statistical software version 28, was used to analyze the data (P-value=<0.05)

Results: Urea significantly (p<0.001) increased in treatment groups compared to control, and significantly(p<0.001) decreased in the group treated with cadmium+2mg/kg C.Sativus compared to cadmium control. Creatinine significantly (p<0.001) increased in all treated groups than in control. Reduced glutathione significantly (p<0.001) reduced in cadmium control than control and increased in cadmium+C. sativus (1mg/kg) and cadmium+C. sativus (2mg/kg) than cadmium control. Glutathione peroxidase did not reveal any significant statistical difference amongst groups. Catalase significantly (p<0.001) decreased in treated groups than control. Superoxide dismutase in treatment groups significantly (p<0.001) decreased than control and increased in extract-fed rats than cadmium control. Malondialdehyde in treatment groups significantly (p<0.001) increased to the control and decreased in extract-fed groups than cadmium control. Aspartate aminotransferase significantly (p<0.001) increased across treated groups than control. Alanine aminotransferase significantly (p<0.001) increased significantly in treatment groups than in the control. Alkaline phosphatase in treatment groups significantly (p<0.001) increased compared to the control and decreased in extract-fed groups than in the cadmium control.

Conclusion: It Based on these results, we conclude that C. sativus may possess nephroprotective agents that resulted in reduced serum urea, creatinine, and kidney oxidative markers, especially in the cadmium+C. sativus (2mg/kg) treated group.