European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aim: To evaluate the nephroprotective property of Cnidoscolus chayamansa aqueous leaf extract in diabetic rats.

Study Design: Rats were randomly divided into five groups with group 1 as the normal control. Diabetic was induced in groups 2-4. Group 2 was used as the test control while groups 3 and 4 were treated with different concentrations of the leaf extract; group 5 was treated with the standard drug, glipizide.

Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Biochemistry and Anatomy, University of Jos, Nigeria, between August to November, 2019.

Methodology: Fourty (40) male albino Wistar rats were grouped into five groups. The rats were treated for fourteen days and then sacrificed by decapitation after anaesthesia. Blood was collected for biochemical parameters; kidney was excised and stored in formaldehyde until required for histopathological study. Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate were determined using appropriate methods.

Results: The test control had a significant (P < .05) decrease in the concentrations of Na⁺, Cl^- and HCO₃^- ions; significant (P < .05) increases in serum K⁺ ion, urea, uric acid and creatinine. Treatments of the test groups with the different doses of the leaf extract and the standard drug increased the concentration of Na⁺ ion which was not significantly (P < .05) different from the test control. On the other hand, the concentration of Cl^- and HCO^- ions  were significantly (P < .05) increased; the concentrations of K⁺, urea, uric acid and creatinine were significantly (P < .05) decreased. The histochemistry of the kidneys revealed that the injury brought about under diabetic condition was ameliorated with the treatments with the low and high doses of the leaf extract, and the standard drug.

Conclusion: The results show that the aqueous leaf extract has nephroprotective property.