Nephroprotective Activity of an Aqueous Extract of Alchornea Cordifolia Stapf. (Euphorbiaceae) on Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Paracetamol in Rat

Abstract

Paracetamol, an analgesic frequently used by patients in poor countries because it is cheaper and available by self-medication on all markets. Its excessive consumption induces proven kidney and liver damage. As an indicator of the state of renal function, the serum level of urea, creatinine, and total protein are considered reliable markers. Thus, an increase in blood urea and serum creatinine followed by a decrease in total serum protein levels is indicative of kidney damage. During this study, the rats which received 1000 mg/Kg of paracetamol died on the fourth and fifth day of experimentation. The analyzes show an increase in the level of urea and serum creatinine of more than 150% and a decrease in total proteins of more than 150%. The rate thus goes from 0.288 g/l to 0.720 g/l for urea; from 7.307 mg/l to 18.267 mg/l for creatinine and from 57.168 g/l to 14.292 g/l for total proteins. This suggests nephrotoxicity in rats. In the rats which received 250 and 500 mg/Kg of paracetamol, the serum level of urea which was 0.288 g/l, goes to 0.452 g/l and 0.661 g/l respectively; an increase of 58.07% and 129.60%. The serum creatinine level is 7.307 mg/l in normal rats. This rate goes from 7.705 mg/l and 8.450 mg/l respectively. That is an increase of 5.16% and 15.64%. The total proteins in the normal rats had a level of 57.168 g/l, and the treated rats have a serum level of 54.715 g/l and 49.873 g/l respectively, at the end of the experiment. That is a decrease of 4.25% and 12.76% respectively. These parameters are characteristic of the progressive onset of acute renal failure (ARI or ARF).