Moringa oleifera extract protects against rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life‐threatening abrupt disruption in kidney function. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI are poorly understood. Also, there are currently no effective drugs to treat AKI. Phytochemicals from Moringa oleifera plants exhibit antihypertensive, cholesterol‐lowering, diuretic, and hepatoprotective properties. This study aims to determine if Moringa oleifera extract can ameliorate rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI and its possible mechanisms of action.Experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rhabdomyolysis was induced by intramuscular glycerol injection. Group A received distilled water only. Group B received distilled water, followed by 50% glycerol on the 8th day. Group C and D received 50 and 100 mg/kg methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera (orally) for seven days and glycerol on the 8th day. Group E received 100 mg/kg of methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera alone for seven days and normal saline on the 8th day. Necropsy was performed 24 h after glycerol treatment. Blood and kidneys samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses.Significant decreases in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione, protein thiols, and non‐protein thiols were observed in animals treated with only glycerol when compared with the control groups. Glycerol treatment also caused a significant increase in markers of AKI and inflammation, including creatinine, nitric oxide, urea, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and advanced oxidative protein products. Immunohistochemical staining of renal NF‐ƙβ and KIM‐1 was also elevated in glycerol‐treated rats. Treatment with methanol stem bark extract of Moringa oleifera ameliorated glycerol‐induced oxidative stress, kidney damage, and inflammation.The methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera alleviated rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI in rats through its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.