Abstract

AMELIORATIVE POTENTIAL OF COMBINED AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF JUSTICIA CARNEA AND ALLIUM SATIVUM AGAINST ACUTE CADMIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Okutu Jackson Borobuebi*, Onitsha Enebrayi Nelson, Egoro Emmanuel Tonbra and Ogbede Tokoni Gloria

ABSTRACT

Renal failure remains a growing public health concern globally and toxicity of heavy metals such as cadmium has played a part in the high rate of prevalence of renal diseases. Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of several ailments in ancient times. This study evaluated the ameliorative potential of combined aqueous extracts of Justicia carnea and Allium sativum against acute cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity. Twenty five albino rats weighing between 90-160g were randomly divided into five groups: Group I served as the control and received 10mL/kg body weight of normal saline. Group II received 25mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride for 7days. Group III rats were administered 25mg/kg b.wt cadmium chloride for 7days followed by 500mg/kg body weight of garlic extract for the next 14days. Group IV were administered 25mg/kg b.wt cadmium-chloride for 7days followed by 496mg/kg body weight of garlic extract for the next 14days. Group V received 25mg/kg b.wt cadmium chloride for 7days followed by 500mg/kg body weight of Garlic + 496mg/kg body weight of Justicia carnea for the next 14 days. The result showed a non-significant (p˃0.05) increase in serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and chloride in cadmium-chloride intoxicated rats compared to the control. Serum malondialdehyde level was significantly (p˂0.05) increased, while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly reduced in the cadmium-chloride intoxicated rats. Post treatment of the CdCl2-intoxicated rats with aqueous extract of Allium sativum, Justicia carnea and combined Allium sativum garlic and Justicia carnea revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in Malondialdehyde and an elevation in the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Conclusion: Combined administration Allium satium and Justicia carnea aqueous extracts mitigate cadmium-chloride induced renal toxicity in the female Wistar albino rats.

Keywords: Allium sativum, Cadmium chloride, Electrolytes, Justicia carnea, nephrotoxicity, and oxidative Stress Markers.