Background:
Seafood is an important source of food for the majority of people. Marine
species have a wide spectrum of pharmacological actions, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Sepia officinalis extract (SoE) on
folic acid-induced acute kidney injury in Wistar rats.
Methods:
A single dosage of folic acid (250 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to cause kidney
injury induced (AKI). The study contained three groups of six rats each: control, folic acid, and folic
acid + SoE groups. The SoE group received SoE (45 mg/kg, orally) daily for one week, while
the control and folic acid groups were administered distilled water.
Results:
The crude extract of Sepia officianlis contains heavy metals such as Fe, Cr, Cd, Pb, and
Zn, according to our findings. The LD50 value of SoE was 450 mg/kg. SoE treatment increases creatinine,
urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase,
alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide
levels while decreasing total proteins, albumin, glutathione reduced, glutathione-S-transferase, and
catalase. Several histological alterations were found in the liver and kidney of the SoE rats.
Conclusion:
The heavy metal content of S. officinalis extract has a synergistic effect with folic acid
to induce hepatorenal injury. Natural extracts of marine species should be used with caution as a
component of medications or natural remedies.