ABSTRACT

The dry leaf ofAlchornea cordifolia (AC) is used, in traditional medicine in the S Nigeria, for the preparation of blood tonic, remedies for urinary, respiratory, liver and gas intestinal disorders. This study investigated the protective property of AC leaf against kidney damage in animals with a view to exploring its use for the treatment of nephrototoxicity in humans. Methanol/methylen extract ofAlchornea cordifolia was used to study the nephroprotective activity in CCLi-induced. Animals in Group 1 served as normal control. Group 2 served as vehicle control. Groups 3 served as negative control that was administered CCU only+olive oil, group 4 was administered CCI4 only+olive oil + 100 mg kgG1 b.wt. of Alchornea cordifolia. group 5 was administered CCI4 only+olive oil + 200 mg kgG1 b.wt. ofAlchornea cordifolia and group 6 was administered CCI4 only+olive oil + 400 mg kgG1 b.wt. ofAlchornea cordifolia, served as test groups. The results of phytochemical and proximate indicates richness in saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids with value 5.59+0.22%, while proximate such as Dry matter, Moisture content, Crude protein, Crude fibre. Carbohydrate. Energy Value was quantified. The kidney damage was observed in the animals with significant increase in urea, creatinine. Na+, K+, and Cl’ following the in traperitoneal administration of CCLi. The methanol/methylene extract caused significant decrease (p<0.05) in the activities of these enzymes and electrolytes in the treated animals relative to positive control that received CCI4 but were not treated. The extract showed potentials to mopping-up of free radicals generated by CCI4. The extract reduced lipid peroxidation in concentration dependent manner. The findings suggests that the extract have the capacity to improving kidney functions and kidney regeneration at high concentration. The extracts are safe for consumption, abundant proximate, antioxidants could offer reasonable protections against oxidative stress and Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins were detected in the phytochemical screening. Our findings suggest Alchornea cordifolia Methanol/methylene leaf extract as promising nephroprotective herb and give credence to the folkloric use ofthis plant for the treatment of kidney problems.