Renoprotective property of the flavonoid-rich extract of Kigelia africana fruits on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Nephrotoxicity and kidney disease are on the increase worldwide, necessitating the continued search for bioactive agents with renoprotective property. In this study, the flavonoid-rich extract of Kigelia africana fruits (FRE) was investigated for protective property against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into eight groups ( n = 6): group 1 (control) received distilled water only. Group 2 received gentamicin (60 mg/kg/i.p). Groups 3 received rutin (100 mg/kg/p.o) and gentamicin (60 mg/kg/i.p). Groups 4–5 received FRE (100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o) and gentamicin (60 mg/kg/i.p), respectively. Group 6 received rutin (100 mg/kg/p.o) alone. Groups 7–8 received FRE (100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o) only. Nephrotoxicity induction by gentamicin injection and treatments with FRE/standard drug (rutin) were performed once daily for 7 days. Both prophylactic and curative potentials of K. africana were investigated in this study. The study revealed that gentamicin caused a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in kidney level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances which was ameliorated in groups pre- and post-treated with FRE. Also, there were significant ( p < 0.05) corrections in serum levels of biochemical indices (creatinine, urea, cholesterol, triglyceride, and total protein) in gentamicin-toxified rats treated with FRE. These results were consistent with the histopathological findings which revealed that gentamicin damaged renal cells and tubules, whereas pre- and post-treatments with FRE ameliorated the damage. This study demonstrated the renoprotective potential of FRE against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats as the extract protected against most of the derangements caused by gentamicin toxicity.