Preliminary Evaluation of Hepatorenal Protective Potentials of <i>Kigelia africana</i> Ethanolic Leaf Extract on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Toxicity in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background and aim: Hepatorenal toxicity is a very common ailment with resultant deleterious burden on the overall body systems and high mortality rate. Although myriads of drug agents are in circulation, its medical management is still inadequate as no effective treatment which inhibits disease progression and complications, has been synthesized yet. Therefore, this study focused on the potentials of Kigelia africana ethanolic leaf extract (KAELE) in preventing hepatorenal toxicity using CCl4 model of toxicity in rats. Method: KAELE was subjected to phytochemical screening. Following two-week acclimatization, thirty-six (N = 36) adult male Wistar rats were grouped into six consisting of six animals each (n = 6). Group I was given distilled water as control while groups II to VI received silymarin (100 mg/kg), CCl4 (1 ml/kg), KAELE (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) respectively. All groups pre-treated with silymarin and Kigelia africana ethanol leaf extract lasted for a period of fourteen (14) days using a gastric tube. CCl4 was administered intraperitoneally to groups II, III, IV, V and VI 48 hours after the last pretreatment on day 14. Post treatment, animals were sacrificed and the blood obtained and sera used for biochemical analysis while the tissues for histological evaluations. Results: The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, and phenols. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of all serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) in the extract-treated groups. KAELE showed a dose-dependent hepato-protective property as it significantly mitigated the effects of carbon tetrachloride on the liver function markers studied (total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, albumin and total protein). KAELE showed the decrease necrotic hepatic plates around the portal areas and damaged blood vessels with less fatty acids infiltrations in this study. Conclusion: KAELE possesses hepatorenal protective potentials.