ABSTRACT

 Scientific research has shown evidence of Nephrotoxicity arising from medicinal and prolong use of drugs such as Vancomycin, Paracetamol and some other synthetic drugs in the market. This study was designed to evaluate the Renoprotective Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract ofAdansonia digitate on Vancomycin-challenged Albino Rats. Thirty (30) male Albino Rats of 125±0.g, average weight, were grouped into six (n=5). Group 1 (Normal Control) received normal saline, Group 2 (Untreated) received 200mg/kg of VMC, Group 3 received 200mg/kg VMC plus 200mg/kg of extract, Group 4 received 200mg/kg VMC plus 400mg/kg of the extract, while 5 and 6 were treated with 1000 lU/kg of Vitamin E and 25mg/kg of Hydrochlorothiazide respectively. Animals were sacrificed after 21 days of treatment and blood sample were collected for parameter analyses. Results show a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Urea and Creatinine levels of group 4 (37.8±6.3, 1.36±0.15) and group 5 (38.0±0.7, 1.54±0.1) when compared with group 2 (47.8±4.6, 1.78±0.1). There was a significant decrease (P><0.05) in Malondialdehyde level in group 3 (0.91±0.3), group 4 (0.91±0.3) and group 6 (0.93±0.3) when compared with group 2 (1.74±0.2). There was also a significant increase (P><0.05) in SOD level of group 4 (11.34±0.1) against group 2 (10.65±0.4). A significant increase (P><0.05) was observed in CAT and GPX activity in group 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared with group 2 (CAT; 2.80±0.6, GPX; 17.52±1.7). A significant decrease was also obtained in HDL of group 2 (0.98±0.6) when compared with group 1 (2.22±0.3) and a significant increase (P><0.05) was further obtained in HDL of group 4 (2.22±0.3) when compared with group 2 (0.98±0.6). There was significant increase in TAG, LDL and Cholesterol in group 2 (1.30±0.16, 3.64±0.2, 5.62±0.4) were observed against group 1 (0.66±0.1, 2.76±0.2, 4.42±0.5). However, there was a significant decrease (P><0.05) in TAG, LDL and cholesterol level in group 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared with group 2. A significant increase was observed in Phosphate level of group 2 (2.60±0.3) when compared with group 1 (1.48±0.1) and Phosphate level of group 4 (2.08±0.5), group 5 (1.96±0.3), and group 6 (2.00±0.4) were significantly increased when compared with group 2 (2.60±0.3). There was no significant increase of Sodium Na, Potassium K, Calcium Ca and Magnesium Mg, concentration was observed within the groups. Total protein decreased significantly in group 2 „(4.34±0.4) when compared with group 1 (4.98±0.6) and there was no significant increase (P>0.05) in group 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. There was a significant decrease in Hb level of group 2 (12.24±0.78) when compared with group 1 (14.0±0.74). However, a significant increase in Hb was observed in group 3 (13.40±0.42) and group 4 (13.88±0.95) when compared with group 2 (12.24±0.78). Phytochemical analysis indicates the presence of Steroids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Alkaloids, Terpenoids and Phenols in Adansonia digitate leaves and the acute toxicity study of the leaf extract shows no mortality at the highest dose of lOOOOmg/kg. The present work therefore suggests that Adansonia digitate leaf extract may be safe and may improve the challenged parameters associated with Vancomycin-challenged nephrotoxicity in Albino Rats thus could be suggested as adjunct to dietary therapy or main therapy for drug induced kidney disease. Further studies with the use of higher animal and higher doses of the plant s extracts were recommended to ascertain the applicability in the use of leaf extract ofAdansonia digitate for management and treatment ofrenal abnormalities.