Nephroprotective and antioxidant effect of aqueous leaf extract of Costus Afer Ker gawl on cyclosporin-a (Csa) induced nephrotoxicity

Abstract

BackgroundOxidative stress (OS) has been linked to the pathology of a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases. Medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds which are capable of preventing and fighting these diseases. The nephroprotective and antioxidant properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer (C.afer) against cyclosporine A CsA - induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats were investigated.MethodsSix groups of five weight-matched animals each, were used for the study. The first and second groups served as normal and toxic control and were given olive oil and CsA (50 mg/kg b.w.) orally respectively while groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 ingested 375, 750 and 1125 mg/kg b.w. aqueous leaf extract and 100 mg/kg b.w. of the Silymarin respectively one hour prior to administration of CsA 50 mg/kg b.w.ResultsTreatment with C. afer extract at doses of 375, 750 and 1125 mg/kg prevented the CsA induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative impairments of the kidney, as evidenced by a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma creatinine, BUN, K+ and renal malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, all the doses were able to induce a significant increment (P < 0.05) of renal levels of glutathione (GSH) and plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase(CAT), glutathione-S-tranferase (GST), serum electrolytes (Na+ and HCO3−), body and kidney weight. The nephroprotective effects of C.afer extract were confirmed by a reduced severity of renal cellular damage.ConclusionAqueous leaf extract of C.afer has a protective role against CsA- induced nephrotoxicity probably mediated through its antioxidant properties.