Ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens ameliorates carbon tetrachloride and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in wistar albino rat

Abstract

The present study investigates the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potentials of Mucuna pruriens leaf extract with a view to providing a potent alternative in the management of liver and kidney diseases. Forty male albino rats were randomly placed into eight groups comprising five animals each. Animals in group I were administered with the distilled water, while groups II and VI were exposed to CCl4 and rifampicin respectively. Animals in groups III and IV were initially exposed CCl4 and treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg bw M. pruriens respectively. Similarly, groups VII and VIII animals were exposed to rifampicin and treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg bw M. pruriens respectively. Animals in group V were treated with 100 mg/kg bw silymarin by oral gavage after an initial exposure to CCl4. Selected biomarkers of liver and kidney damage were determined in the serum and organs homogenate. Liver and kidney slices of experimental animals were also stained for histopathological examination. Exposure to CCl4 and rifampicin respectively resulted in marked distortion in lipid profile, inhibition of antioxidant enzymes and a surge in ALT, AST, ALP, urea, uric acid, bilirubin and creatine kinase. Treatment with M. pruriens extract reversed all deranged biochemical and histopathological parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Restoration of both biochemical and histopathological alterations established the fact that M. pruriens is a potent hepatoprotective and nephroprotective plant, thereby giving credence to the potential usefulness of its leaf extract in the management of liver and kidney diseases.