EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO PARACETAMOL AND HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA LINN CALYX EXTRACT ON THE KIDNEY OF MICE

Blessing Ogechukwu Orji,Maryam Ibrahim,Frederick Otunuya Obi

doi:10.33003/fjs-2020-0402-116

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of concurrent administration of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx and paracetamol on kidney injury induced by chronic exposure to paracetamol in mice. The study was carried out over 16 weeks. The animals were grouped into four (4): control (paracetamol and extract free), extract only, paracetamol only and co-administration of paracetamol with extract. The drug and extract were administered orally at 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight respectively by means of an oral gavage. In order to assess kidney function, electrolytes (sodium, bicarbonate, potassium and chloride), urea and creatinine were assessed in serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and reduced glutathione level) were estimated in kidney homogenate. Histopathological examinations of kidney sections were also carried out on the mice. Paracetamol toxicity was confirmed by significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in urea and creatinine levels along with altered electrolyte concentrations. Co-administration of paracetamol with aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx significantly (P≤ 0.05) reversed the drug-induced alterations close to control, in most of the parameters assayed. The antioxidant activity of the extract is most likely due to its strong scavenging effect on reactive oxygen species and free radicals.

Highlights

Paracetamol is the most frequently used over-the-counter (OTC) medication, having been discovered over 100 years ago, with its use as OTC medication beginning in the 1960s (Cranswick and Coghlan, 2000)
Effects of chronic exposure to paracetamol and Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx extract (HSCE) Kidney function parameters Table 1 shows results for kidney function tests conducted in mice after treatment for 16 weeks
Concurrent administration of paracetamol with the extract led to significant decrease in parameters that were elevated by paracetamol but there was a significant increase in sodium and bicarbonate levels

Summary

Introduction

Paracetamol is the most frequently used over-the-counter (OTC) medication, having been discovered over 100 years ago, with its use as OTC medication beginning in the 1960s (Cranswick and Coghlan, 2000). Paracetamol is a mild analgesic used in the treatment of headaches and other minor pains. It is an effective analgesic and antipyretic (Lee, 2017). Paracetamol is available, ill-use is expected and usually causes damage to the liver and kidneys. Intentional poisoning is commonly associated with paracetamol toxicity (Gunnell et al, 2000). Paracetamol is a commonly used antipyretic agent which, in high doses, causes renal tubular damage and uremia. An approach by which damage caused by paracetamol poisoning could be lessened is vending paracetamol mixed with emetics or antidotes (Dargan and Jones, 2003)

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Results

Conclusion