Amelioration of paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity in mice by aqueous extract from the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.

Abstract

The impact of co-administration of paracetamol and aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn calyx on nephrotoxicity prompted by paracetamol, under acute and sub-acute treatments was assessed. Four groups, each of them having 5 mice were involved in this study: control, extract-treated, paracetamol-treated and co-treatment with extract and drug. The extract and drug were given by oral route (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively) to the animals. Treatment with paracetamol significantly increased (P≤0.05) creatinine and urea, and reduced bicarbonate and sodium levels when compared to the control group. Also significantly reduced (P≤0.05) were superoxide dismutase and catalase activities alongside the level of reduced glutathione, while the value of malondialdehyde was significantly increased (P≤0.05).  Co-administration was seen to attenuate the changes brought about by paracetamol in the parameters studied. Assessment of histopathology of kidney segments indicated that treatment with the drug caused acute tubular necrosis and necrotizing pyelitis while co-treatment of drug with extract provided protection. Co- administration of paracetamol and extract was shown to enhance kidney function in response to toxicity caused by paracetamol in mice. The source of this amelioration may be due to the antioxidant components of the extract which have been widely reported.