Reno-Hepatoprotective and Antidiabetic Properties of Methanol Leaf Extract of Laportea Aestuans in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Toxicities due to exposure to arsenic-contaminated water and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus are major health concerns. Treatment of these concerns using therapeutic measures have recorded limited success. Traditionally, Laportea aestuans (LA) has been used in managing various diseases. Hence, we investigated the reno-hepatoprotective/antidiabetic potentials of methanol leaf extract of LA (MeLELA) in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats (100-150 g) were equally distributed into 6 groups: Group I (vehicle-treated); group II received 2.5 mg/kg sodium arsenite (SA) thrice a week for 2 weeks; group III received streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg once); group IV received 200 mg/kg LA daily for 14 days; group V received SA and LA; group VI received STZ and LA. Sodium arsenite and STZ induced reno-hepatotoxicity and diabetes, respectively. Phytochemical screening, biomarkers/enzyme activities, blood glucose levels, micronucleus assay, kidney, liver and pancreas histologies were determined according to standard procedures. Alkaloids, carotenoids and flavonoids were present in abundance. Both SA-and STZ-treated groups recorded significant (p < 0.05) reductions in serum protein concentrations, while co-treatment with LA significantly restored the levels. The SA-induced significant increase in creatinine/urea levels were significantly reduced by LA. Co-treatment of each of SA-and STZ-treated groups, respectively, with LA significantly decreased the elevated serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases’ activities. Increased blood glucose level in diabetic group was remarkably lowered by LA. Also, the SA-induced frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was significantly ameliorated by LA. Conclusively, LA is protective against SA-induced toxicity and STZ-induced diabetes in Wistar rats.

Antimalarial Studies and Phytochemical Profiling of Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew Extractives

“…Extracts that mice can tolerate at doses of up to 5000 mg/kg without exhibiting any signs of toxicity can be considered non-toxic and safe. [23][24][25][26][27] Regarding the aqueous methanol extract of L. aestuans, doses of up to 5000 mg/kg did not result in mortality or manifest any adverse effects such as skin changes, aggressiveness, diarrhea, restlessness, dizziness, weakness, or refusal to consume food or water. Therefore, it can be inferred that the tested extract is devoid of toxicity.…”

“…Survival Times. All the animals used for this study were observed for 28 days for possible mortality, while the survival time and percentage of survivors were calculated using the formula below 22,23…”

Amelioration of arsenic toxicity: A mini-review of current scientific literature

“…Arsenic intoxicated Wistar rats treated with methanol leaf extract of Laportea aestuans depicted restoration of serum protein concentration, decreased creatinine/urea concentration along with reduction in elevated serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases activity. It also amelioarted the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (Adetunji et al, 2021) [2] . When arsenic-treated mice were given Mentha piperita leaf extract, LPO content, ALP, SGOT, and SGPT activity significantly decreased, and body weight, liver weight, LDH, and GSH content significantly increased (Sharma et al, 2007) [78] .…”

“…Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid, and glucose elevations caused by arsenic were eliminated (Barai, et al, 2017) [7] Laportea aestuans Leaf, 200 mg/kg, orally Rat showed restoration of serum protein concentration, decreased creatinine/urea concentration along with reduction in elevated serum ALT/AST activity (Adetunji et al, 2021) [2]…”