Nephroprotective effect of Costus afer on lead induced kidney damage in albino rats.

Background: Lead is a nephrotoxicant probably implicated in the rising incidence of chronic kidney injury in sub-Sahara Africa. With the prohibitive cost and unavailability of metal chelators, chronic kidney disease CKD prevention is very difficult hence the search for affordable alternative. Costus afer have been shown to be organo-protective. The present research investigated the nephroprotective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer on lead induced nephrotoxicity in male rats.

Methods: Adult male rats were weight matched into five groups of five rats each. Groups 1 & 2 serve as normal and toxic control receiving deionized and leaded (CH₃COO)₂Pb. 3H₂O water respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered peroral 750, 1500 and 2250 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer respectively while receiving Pb²⁺ water ad libitum. Hematological, antioxidant and histological parameters obtained from the result serve as scientific evidence in the study.

Results: Costus afer treatment significantly reversed (P < 0.05) the decrease in the levels of gluthatione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-trasferase activity (GST) seen in the lead acetate only treated group. Similarly, the increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the lead acetate only treated group was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the Costus afer treated groups. There were significant (P < 0.05) decreases in serum serum level of sodium (146 ± 2.1 to 133 ± 6.0) and potassium (5.1 ± 0.4 to 4.4 ± 0.3) in lead acetate alone and treated group respectively. Also recorded was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in serum levels of total protein and albumin (67 ± 7.9 to 47 ± 5.0 g/dl) and (45 ± 4.4 to 33 ± 5.5 g/dl) in lead acetate alone and Costus afer treated groups respectively.

Conclusions: Aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer may be nephroprotective in albino rats.