Methanol extract of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf ameliorate liver and kidney damage in rats administered with potassium bromate

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the ameliorative capacity of methanol extract of Euphorbia heterophylla leaves (ELE) on liver and kidney functionality in the presence of potassium bromate (KBrO₃). Twenty (20) male albino rats weighing between 180 – 200 g were assigned randomly into four groups. Group 1 served as the control and received only distilled water. Group 2 was administered 20 mg KBrO₃/kg body weight. Group 3 received 100 mg ELE/kg body weight, while group 4 rats were administered concurrently; 20 mg KBrO₃ and 100mg ELE/kg body weight. The administration lasted for 21 days. Animals were allowed free access to water and feed ad-libitum. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) tests were employed for antioxidant assay. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activities were assayed alongside albumin, bilirubin (T and D) as a measure of liver function. Catalase and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were monitored in the liver for possible peroxidation. Creatinine, urea, uric acid and the electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-) concentrations were determined to measure kidney function. The extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with DPPH and FRAP assays. IC₅₀ for DPPH was 255.63 µg/mL and 129.69 µg/mL for vitamin C with FRAP value of 1.58 ± 0.26 against 2.00 ± 0.00 for Vitamin C. Generally, the assay results showed significant increases in all parameters except catalase, when bromate was administered and results compared with the control. Following the co-administration of bromate and the extract, the enzyme activities (ALP, AST, and ALT) were significantly lowered. However, a significant increase in catalase activities in the liver, MDA concentration was significantly lowered in the tissue. The significantly high concentration of albumin, bilirubin (D and T), urea, creatinine and uric acid were ameliorated when bromate and the extract were administered. The changes in the electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-) concentrations were also reversed. ELE exhibited significant ameliorative effects in bromate-induced damage in rats’ liver and kidney tissues.