Abstract

*Favour Ntite Ujowundu, Cosmas O. Ujowundu, Raymond C. Ibeh, Emeka J. Iweala, Chinyere H. Onuoha, Calistus I. Iheme, Chieme S. Chukwudoruo, James O. Kalu, Monica M. Okorondu and Moshood A. Haruna

ABSTRACT

Combretum dolichopentalum is a shrub commonly used as herbal therapy for women after parturition. It has been used to manage mild perturbation of the kidney induced by CCl4. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannin (FAST) extracted from C. dolichopentalum on CCl4-induced renal damage. Sixty- five (65) rats were sorted into nine groups, and allowed food and water ad libitum. Group I control (water), group II CCl4, group III was pre-treated with 250 mg/kg crude ethanol extract of C. dolichopentalum (EECD), group IV was pre-treated with 500 mg/kg crude EECD, group V was pre-treated with 50 mg/kg b.w silymarin, group VI to IX were pre-treated with 100 mg/kg b.w each of flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin, and tannin extracted from C. dolichopentalum respectively for seven days. On the 8th day, all animals (except the normal) were intoxicated with 0.4 ml/kg body weight CCl4 in liquid paraffin (2:1). All the rats were killed 48 h after CCl4 administration, and kidneys were excised and used for determination of histopathological and biochemical parameters. Intoxicating rats with CCl4 induced histological changes causing glomerular and tubular degeneration. CCl4 also caused marked elevation in serum MDA, K+ and urea. A significant decrease in Na+ and no significant changes in Cl- were observed. Treating animals with EECD and phytochemicals such as flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin and tannin extracted from C. dolichopentalum led to an improvement, in both biochemical indices and histopathological injuries, however, flavonoid and alkaloid components demonstrated a more significant reduction in MDA and urea, and tannin in K+. All phytochemical components including the crude extract normalised Na+. Moreover, it is interesting to note that though there were no significant differences between the normal, intoxicated group and crude extract in Cl- concentration, all phytochemical components (FAST) increased Cl- concentration significantly. Data from the current study indicates that C. dolichopentalum influence electrolyte balance. Furthermore, EECD especially flavonoid and alkaloid extract of C. dolichopentalum clearly protects the kidney from CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity.