Protective Role of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Myriantus arboreus P. Beauv in Anthracene-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Laboratory Rats

Abstract

Background: Myriantus arboreus P. Beauv (Cecropiaceae) is used in traditional medicine for management of systemic pathologies. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the protective role of the methanol stem bark extract of M. arboreus (MEMA) in anthracene-induced nephrotoxicity in laboratory rats. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight rats each comprising Group 1: 10 mL/kg of 5% Tween 20 as vehicle treated control; Group 2: 50 mg/kg anthracene (ANTH) as positive control; Group 3: 100 mg/kg; and Group 4: 200 mg/kg MEMA respectively. Groups 3 and 4 were administered the extract for 7 days followed by co-administration with 50 mg/kg ANTH p.o. for 21 days. Animals in Group 5 were administered only the extract at 200 mg/kg for 21 days p.o. Results: Creatinine was significantly (p<0.01) increased on exposure to ANTH. However, creatinine was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in rats co-administered MEMA and ANTH. Renal tissues showed a significant (p<0.001) reduction in reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in ANTH exposed rats compared to MEMA and ANTH exposed. Catalase (CAT) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in animals administered only MEMA compared to ANTH and vehicle treated control animals. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (p<0.01) increased on exposure to ANTH but was significantly reduced on treatment with 200 mg/kg MEMA. On histopathological assessment, ANTH exposed rats presented with section of the kidney showing massive renal necrosis. However, there was a remodeling of renal architecture observed as normal renal architecture with minimal renal damage on co-administration with MEMA. Conclusion: The extract significantly reduced the anthracene-induced increase in creatinine level and also modulated the architectural damage of the kidney caused by anthracene. The improvements in the antioxidant indices are suggestive renoprotective mechanisms of the extract.