Protective effect of aqueous leaf extract of vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in adult wistar rat

Abstract

This study evaluated the protective effect of an aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the kidney functions and histological architecture of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) Wistar rats were divided into five groups (groups 1–5), with five rats in each group. Group 1 served as the normal control. Group 2 was the negative control and received 40 mg/kg of body weight of gentamicin. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received an aqueous extract of V. amygdalina at doses of 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg/kg of body weight, respectively, for 21 days. The gentamicin was administered intraperitoneally for 14 days, starting on day 8, while the aqueous leaf extract was given orally. There was a significant (P< 0.05) increase or derangement in the serum levels of urea, creatinine, and potassium in group 2 when compared to the normal control. The groups that received the extract of V. amygdalina showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the levels of deranged serum urea, creatinine, and potassium compared to group 2. The kidney histological photomicrograph of group 2 was characterized by epitheloid granulomas, glomerular necrosis, and severe nephrotic tissue degeneration. The groups treated with the extract showed significant protection against these alterations. The protection was found to be dose-dependent. It was discovered that V. amygdalina had a dose-dependent protective effect against kidney damage caused by gentamycin toxicity.