Modulatory properties of Telfairia occidentalis leaf extract on pancytopenia, electrolyte imbalance and renal oxidative damage in rats

Abstract

Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant acclaimed to possess many therapeutic potential. The study was carried out to investigate the possible modulatory effects of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis on chemical-induced oxidative stress, renal dysfunction and pancytopenia in rats. Twenty-four (24) adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received distilled water, group II, III and IV were administered 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride to induce oxidative stress. Group III and IV were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively of aqueous leaf extract of T. occidentalis for 14 days while rats in group II were left untreated. Results obtained showed that administration of cadmium caused significant suppression of haematopoiesis, depleted endogenous antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation in the kidney as well as alteration of serum electrolytes. Treatment with graded doses of T. occidentalis leaf extract significantly reversed the cadmium induced-biochemical insults as the extract restored the normal renal integrity and boosted renal antioxidant status in rats. The leaf extract also caused significant boost in haematopoiesis in the rats. This result confirmed that aqueous extract of T. occidentalis effectively maintain electrolyte balance, modulates pancytopenia and oxidative renal damage in rats suggesting its protective potentials on anaemia and renal disorders.