Extracts from Dacryodes edulis restored renal functions altered by CCl4 in rats

The environment is constantly bombarded with harmful chemicals, but the human body has evolved defense mechanisms for handling some of them, however, often these mechanisms are overwhelmed by the number of chemicals to which they are exposed. The protective effect of Dacryodes edulis (D. edulis) against damages caused by CCl4 on rat kidneys was investigated. As a model for organ damage by environmental chemicals, rats were orally exposed to CCl4 for 22 days, and the extracts from D. edulis, obtained with both aqueous and methanol solvents, were administered orally to the rats at varying concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b. weight for 22 days respectively. Histological, and Hematological analysis as well as plasma levels of urea, creatinine, and electrolytes (Na+, K+, and Cl-), CAT, SOD, GPx, MDA and GSH were determined as markers of kidney function. Results indicated that CCl4 significantly increased plasma urea, creatinine, electrolyte levels, CAT, SOD, GPx, MDA and hematological parameters there by decreasing GSH in the rats. However, the administered extracts of 200 and 400 mg/kg aqueous and methanol seeds and stembark of D. edulis suppressed alterations in plasma urea, creatinine, electrolytes, CAT, SOD, GPx, MDA, GSH as well as hematological parameters in a dose-dependent manner restoring them to their normal range. Furthermore, histological analysis showed that the extracts at 200 and 400mg/kg but best at 400mg/kg of D. edulis protected the kidneys from the damaging effects of CCl4. The data indicated that 400mg/kg methanol of both extracts possessed a stronger protective effect on the kidneys against CCl4 damaging activity, suggesting that extracts from D. edulis may possess the potential of protecting the kidneys against damages caused by environmental chemicals.