Effects of methanolic leaf extracts of <em>Jatropha curcas</em>, <em>Alchonnea cordifolia</em>, <em>Secamone afzelii</em> in Doxorubicin-induced hypertensive nephropathy in pregnant Wistar rats

Abstract

This study assessed the Effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Jatropha curcas, Alchonnea cordifolia, Secamone afzelii in Doxorubicin-induced hypertensive nephropathy in pregnant Wistar rats. Plant samples (leaves) were washed severally with distilled water, air-dried, and crushed to powder and were filtered, then soaked in 200mL of methanol for 12 hours. The LD50 was determined to ascertain the safety of the plant extracts for use. Female Wistar rats, aged 3 days apart, used in the study, were acclimatized for one week. Doxorubicin nephropathy was induced with 3.5mg dose intravenously through the caudal vein. Urea levels were found to have increased significantly in the third trimester (9.3 mmol/L) in the hypertensive nephropathic group. Hypertensive nephropathy also caused an increase in plasma Creatinine levels (333.64 μmol/L) and (172.73 μmol/L) in the third trimester and postpartum, respectively. The administration of plant extracts resulted in a significant decrease in urine creatinine (845.45–481.82 μmol/L) and a significant increase in Protein- Creatinine Ratio (PCR, 3.0–7.3 mg/dL) in the nephropathic group, but a contrary report in the post-partum group, with significant increases in micro-protein (17.1–21.9 mg/dL). Plasma urea and plasma creatinine had a significant relationship in the third trimester (r=0.853 and 0.810, p=0.01). Plasma urea, on the other hand, had no significant association with plasma creatinine throughout the postpartum period. This study’s findings suggested that Jatropha curcas, Alchonnea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii extracts could be useful in the treatment of chronic renal disease.