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ABSTRACT
Exposure to various harmful chemicals can lead to kidney dysfunction, disrupting renal functions and potentially escalating into life-threatening situations, even resulting in fatalities. According to a 1997 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 80% of primary healthcare in select Asian and African countries rely on herbal medicine. Additionally, numerous drug synthesis compounds have been identified as derived from plants. This study aims to investigate the effect of an aqueous extract of moringa on arsenic trioxide-induced kidney toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (A to F), with each group consisting of five (5) rats. Group A served as the control, while Groups B to F served as treatment groups. The rats were fed grower mash feed and had free access to water throughout the study period. Group A received food and 1ml of distilled water, while Group B rats were orally administered 10mg/kg weight of arsenic trioxide only. Group C received daily oral administration of 200mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of moringa (low dose) along with 10mg/kg body weight of arsenic trioxide. Group D received 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of moringa (intermediate dose) and 10mg/kg body weight of arsenic trioxide. Group E received a daily dose of 800mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of moringa (high dose) along with 10mg/kg body weight of arsenic trioxide, while Group F received a daily dose of 800mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of moringa only. At the end of the treatment period, we anesthetized the rats using chloroform, and their kidneys were immediately harvested, weighed, and fixed in 10% formal saline to prevent cell death (autolysis). We then transported the samples to the histopathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for tissue processing. The findings of the study indicated that there were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in body weight among the groups when comparing initial and final weights. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) observed in the renosomatic index across the groups. Furthermore, the levels of Cl-, K+, and HCO3- did not show statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) at the groups. In summary, the results suggest that moringa oleifera extract may provide protection against the nephrotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide.
