International Journal of Advances in Nephrology Research

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant and nephroprotective effects of Hypoestes rosea in acetaminophen induced-toxicity in albino rats.

Study Design:  This study is a case-controlled interventional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Experimental Animal Unit of the Department of Human Physiology, University of Port- Harcourt, between June 2018 and December, 2019.

Methodology: A total of 112 adult apparently healthy albino rats weighing (180-220g) were used for this study. The rats were divided into six experimental groups of extract control (EC), negative control (NC), positive control (PC), aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea (AEHr)100 mg/kg body weight (b w), AEHr 200 mg/kg b w., and AEHr 300 mg/kg b w. groups each of six rats. At the end of the study period, blood samples were taken through the jugular vein under chloroform anaesthesia for oxidative stress markers (SOD & TAC) and renal function parameters (K+, Na+, Cl^-, HCO_3, urea & creatinine), analyzed using auto analyzers and spectrophotometric methods. Kidney of rats were also harvested for histopathological study.

Results: Results showed that acetaminophen induced toxicity in albino rats caused oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and nephrotoxicity as evidenced by significantly (p<0.05) reduced SOD and TAC from the oxidative stress parameters and elevated K+, urea & creatinine and reduced HCO₃^- from the renal function   parameters in the PC group when compared with other experimental groups. However, various concentrations of aqueous extract of Hypoestes rosea in a dose dependent pattern at the different treatment phases at acute and sub-chronic period was able to restore the damage caused by acetaminophen induction to normal. This was also confirmed by the histology study of the experimental group.

Conclusion: Acetaminophen induced toxicity causes oxidant – antioxidant imbalance and nephrotoxicity that may lead to kidney damage, and consumption of AEHr by albino rats helps protect acetaminophen toxicity and possible damage to the kidney. Therefore, the results of this in-vitro study suggest that Hypoestes rosea have antioxidant and nephroprotective properties and should be subjected to studies in higher animals.