Nephroprotective effects of Eleutherine Americana Merr against lead acetate-induced cytotoxicity in mice BALB/C

Abstract

Lead is a poisonous metal, hurtful to most human body organs if exposure surpasses a permissible level of 50 µg/m 3 and an action level of 30 µg/m 3 . This occurs through the initiation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Studies have indicated that Eleutherine americana Merr contains profound biological properties which protects against cancer cells, decreased in prothrombin level, and vessel vasoconstriction. It will be interesting to study the effect of the plant extract on kidneys exposed to lead acetate. This study aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of Eleutherine americana Merr extract on lead acetate cytotoxicity in mice BALB/c. A total of 25 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups. Group1 was given 0.5% Na-CMC orally while Group 2 was treated orally with 0.075 g/kg body weight lead acetate (Pb(CH3COO)2). Group 3 to 5 was given different dosages of Eleutherine americana Merr of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg body weight accordingly and simultaneously with Pb(CH3COO)2 . All treatment were for 35 days. Mice were sacrificed after 35 days, blood samples were collected for analysis of creatinine and urea while the kidneys were for histological studies. The levels of creatinine and urea was significantly higher in Pb(CH3COO)2 treated mice (p<0.05). Treatment with the plant extract significantly reduced the level of blood creatinine and blood urea at extract concentration of 30mg/kg body weight (p<0.05). Histology studies of the kidneys showed that Pb(CH3COO)2 caused glomeruli atrophy and tubular destructions. Treatment with the plant extract at dosages of 30 and 60 mg/kg body weight seemed to ameliorate the effect Pb(CH3COO)2 on the structure of the nephrons. Extract of Elutherine americana Merr was shown to have nephroprotective effect against the assault of Pb(CH3COO)2 in mice.