Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity: a possible potential in the management of liver and kidney diseases

Abstract

The rising prevalence of liver and kidney diseases is worrisome and constitutes a major threat to public health. The present study investigates the medicinal potentials of Vernonia amygdalina leaves in the management of liver and kidney diseases. Albino rats were randomly divided into five groups each containing 5 animals. In all groups, except group I (control), animals were exposed to 3 ml/kg bw of CCl4 and then administered further different treatments. Groups III, IV, and V each were treated with 50 mg/kg bw, 100 mg/kg bw of bitter leaf extract, and 100 mg/kg bw of silymarin, respectively. Group II animals were left untreated after exposure to toxicant. Activities of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the level of urea, uric acid, and bilirubin were determined in the serum and tissue homogenates. Lipid profile as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also determined. Exposure to CCl4 resulted in a significant increase in CK, AST, ALP, and ALT levels as well as bilirubin, urea, and uric acid when compared to the control. Lipid profile was disrupted, activities of SOD and CAT were markedly inhibited and the level of GSH was significantly depleted. However, treatment with V. amygdalina reversed the toxic trend in a dose-dependent manner comparable to animals treated with silymarin. In conclusion, V. amygdalina leaf extract restored deranged lipid profile, distorted histoarchitecture as well as liver and kidney function markers. Hence, the plant is a potential candidate for the management of liver and kidney diseases.