Ocimum gratissimum Aqueous Extract Enhances Recovery in Cisplatin - Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

In the current study, the dose dependent(5% and 10%) and time course curative potential of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (O.G.) on cisplatin induced nephrotoxic rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches was evaluated. Male albino wistar rats weighing between 150-200g were randomly separated into four different groups. Tissue damage was induced in rats of groups 2, 3 and 4 by a single intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin(5mg/kg b.w). Test rats in groups' 3 and 4 were treated 3 days after cisplatin injection intraperitoneally (i.p) with 5% and 10% C.C. accordingly for 3,6,9 and 12 days. Rats in group 2 were given sterile water in place of the extracts while rats in group I were the untreated controls. They were all allowed unlimited access to tap water and growers' mash. Cisplatin treatment caused increases (P≤ 0.05) in serum urea from 5.733 ± 0.06 to 13.000 ± 0.10 mmol/l, creatinine, uric acid, urine volume and urinary protein. Significant decreases (P≤ 0.05) in urinary creatinine were also observed. There were considerable decreases (P≤ 0.05) in body weight and increase (P≤ 0.05) in kidney weight to body weight ratio. However most of these changes were alleviated by prophylactic treatment with aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum dose and time dependently (P≤ 0.05).The ameliorating effect was further evident through decreased histopathological alterations of kidney tissues in the groups treated with aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum (5% and 10%). The results of this study indicate that aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum affect the course of tubular repair after the onset of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats with accelerated recovery. Hence the extracts have the potential to be used for the management of nephropathies and as a therapeutic adjuvant in cisplatin toxicity.