Telfairia Occidentalis Hook f. Mitigates Carbon-Tetrachloride-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. is consumed in different parts of the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria due to its high nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study focused on the restorative potentials of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract on Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced renal toxicity in wistar rats. Five experimental groups of rats were used in this study. One group received distilled water and serve as normal control. Second group received Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl₄) alone for four days. Third and fourth groups received CCl₄ for four days prior to treatment with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg T. occidentalis aqueous extract for six days respectively. The last group received CCl₄ for four days prior to treatment with Silymarin (100mg/kg) for six days. With exception of normal control rats, all rats received a mixture of freshly prepared CCl₄ in olive oil (1ml/kg, 1:1 intraperitoneally) for 4 days. Activities of renal markers and lipid profile molecules in serum and histopathogical analysis were assessed. Results revealed that CCl₄ toxicity caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the level of serum kidney function markers (Creatinine and Urea) and in lipid profile molecules (Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides) whereas T. occidentalis administration showed a dose-dependent nephro-protection as it significantly mitigated the effects of CCl₄ on the kidney function markers  and lipid profile molecules assessed. The observed CCl₄ toxicity and renal protection by T. occidentalis were corroborated by the results of histopathological analysis. T. occidentalis aqueous leaf extract mitigated the exacerbated effect of CCl₄ on renal functions which can be attributed to its bioactive agents.