Ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus milbreadii ameliorates aluminium chloride induced alterations of renal and haematological indices in male Wistar rats

Abstract

The effect of ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus milbreadii on aluminium chloride induced renal damage and alterations in some haematological parameters of male Wistar rats were investigated in the present study. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing between 140 and160 g were randomly divided into four groups with five animals in each group. Animals in Group 1 served as the control while those animals in Group 2 were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of aluminium chloride daily for 14 days. Animals in Group 3 received 400 mg/kg bw of Pterocarpus milbreadii leaf extract. Animals in Group 4 were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of aluminium chloride and 400 mg/kg bw of the extract concurrently for a period of 14 days. Evaluation of indices of renal function indicated that aluminium chloride induced a significant increase (p ˂ 0.05) in the serum concentrations of urea, creatinine and potassium ions. Histological assessment of the kidney tissues revealed degenerated glomeruli, inflammation of renal tubule and parenchyma. However, concurrent administration of the extract and aluminium chloride was found to normalize the elevated concentrations of renal function indices and restore normal histological features as in the control. The administration of aluminium chloride to the experimental animals was also observed to produce a significant reduction (p ˂ 0.05) in the WBC, RBC, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelet counts when compared to the control animals. Furthermore, the administration of ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpus milbreadii concurrently with aluminium chloride significantly improved some of these haematological parameters. These observations imply that ethanol leaf extract of Pterocarpusmilbreadii ameliorated the deleterious effect of aluminium on the kidney and haematology of rats, hence, the leaves could be utilized as food supplement for individuals who are at risk of aluminium toxicity.