Nephrotoxic and in vivo Antioxidant Effects of Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract

Abstract

Background: Citrullus lanatus seeds are known to be highly nutritious, and rich sources of phenolic compounds. They are usually milled into flour and used for making sauces, snacks, and cooking oil. Aim:To investigate the in vivo antioxidant capacity and effect of sub-chronic doses of methanol extract of C. lanatus seed on renal function.Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 35) weighing 130 to 170g (mean weight = 150 ± 20g) were randomly assigned to seven groups of five rats each: normal control, Tween 80 control, and five treatment groups. Rats in the treatment groups received graded doses of the extract (10 -5000 mg/kg body weight, bwt) orally for 35 days. Indices of renal function and oxidative stress were assayed. Results:The absolute and relative weights of kidneys of rats in each group were not significantly affected by extract treatment (p > 0.05). There were significant increases in the final body weight and percentage weight increase in the treatment groups, relative to normal control group (p < 0.05). Methanol extract of C. lanatus seed did not significantly alter the levels of electrolytes, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) among the groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, Tween 80 significantly increased the levels of bicarbonate ion, urea and urea/creatinine ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion:These results show that methanol extract of Citrullus lanatus seed is not nephrotoxic and possesses high antioxidant activity in vivo.

Cardiac Oxidative Status in Diabetic Wistar Rats Exposed To Ethanol Extract of Cucumis Sativus Fruit

“…Their use in disease management is as old as man. Medicinal plants serve as cheap alternative to orthodox medicine since they are readily available [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54].…”

ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN DIABETIC WISTAR RATS TREATED WITH ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Cucumis sativus FRUIT.

“…Alterations in kidney structure and function are frequently found in severe liver disease and once liver function falls below a critical threshold, sodium retention occurs followed by ascites, associated with profound disturbances of splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics which in turn may affect renal function (Cotran et al, 2005). Nephrotoxicity refers to injury to kidneys or impairment of kidney function caused by exposure to xenobiotics (Abu et al, 2021 and.…”