Preliminary Study of Nephroprotective Potentials of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Euphorbia Kamerunica Against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Neph...

Aluminium chloride (AlCl?) is a widely used industrial reagent with well-documented nephrotoxic properties, capable of inducing significant oxidative stress, inflammation, and structural renal damage. This study evaluated the nephroprotective potential of the ethanolic leaf extract of Euphorbia kamerunica (EEEUK) in a Wistar rat model of AlCl?-induced kidney injury, with emphasis on histoarchitectural and biochemical outcomes. Forty-two adult male Wistar rats (120–180 g) were randomized into six groups (n = 7): Control, AlCl? (200 mg/kg), EEEUK only (100 mg/kg), AlCl? + EEEUK (100 mg/kg), AlCl? + EEEUK (200 mg/kg), and AlCl? + donepezil (5 mg/kg) for 28 days (Oral administration of AlCl? for 14 days followed by oral administration of extract at varying doses for 14 days). At the end of the experiment, renal histomorphology, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory indices were assessed. Phytochemical screening revealed abundant terpenoids and steroids, conferring significant antioxidant potency. Data obtained were analysed using statistical software (GraphPad Prism, 9.0). AlCl? administration induced severe renal pathology, including glomerular hypertrophy, tubular necrosis, vascular congestion, elevated serum creatinine, and heightened oxidative stress markers. EEEUK treatment dose-dependently reduced myeloperoxidase activity, superoxide anion formation, and peroxynitrite/hydroxyl radical generation, while restoring renal architecture and normalizing biochemical indices, with the 200 mg/kg dose demonstrating the most significant protective effect. EEEUK conferred significant nephroprotection against AlCl?-induced renal toxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and histomorphological preservation mechanisms, supporting its potential application in mitigating heavy-metal-related renal injury and warranting further investigation for therapeutic development.

Key Words: Aluminum chloride, Euphorbia kamerunica, nephrotoxicity, nephroprotection, oxidative stress