Abstract:
Aim: To assess the nephroprotective and curative effects of an aqueous seed extract of
Parkia clappertoniana on gentamicin-induced renal damage (GIRD) in Sprague-Dawley
rats.
Study Design: Experimental
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory, University of Cape
Coast, Ghana between September, 2012 and May 2013.
Methodology: In assessing nephro protective effect, rats were pretreated (10 days) with
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P. clappertoniana aqueous seed extract (1-2 g kg ; p.o) prior to induction of renal
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damage by treatment with gentamicin (0.08g kg ; p.o, for 8 days. Serum biochemical
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markers (Creatinine, Urea, Na and K ) and urine parameters (leukocyte, protein, specific
gravity and pH) of renal damage were determined and compared with baseline values. In
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a curative study, GIRD in rats was treated with Normal Saline (2 ml kg ; p.o), Losartan (0.05 g kg ; p.o), or extract (1-2 g kg ; p.o) for 14 days and serum and urine parameters
determined for all treatments. Histopathology and changes in kidney weights for normal
and treated rats in both studies were assessed. The extract was screened for DPPH
radical scavenging activity.
Results: The extract significantly (P ≤ .001) reduced elevated serum creatinine and urea
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secondary to GIRD (P ≤ .05) and significantly (P ≤ .05) reduced elevated serum Na but
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had no effect on K . Elevated urine proteins and leucocytes secondary to GIRD was
significantly (P ≤ .05) reduced; but had no significant effect on urine pH and specific
gravity. Elevated kidney weights associated with GIRD was significantly (P≤ .01) reduced.
Histopathological assessment revealed healing effect by extract to GIRD. Effects of the
extract were similar to Losartan. Pretreatment with extract however had no significant
effect on GIRD as serum and urine parameters, as well as kidney weights were
significantly (P≤ .01) elevated on induction of renal damage.
Conclusion: The aqueous seed extract of Parkia clappertoniana has curative but no
nephroprotective effect on gentamicin-induced renal damage in Sprague-Dawley rats.
