Role of aqueous fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) extract against DBP-induced renal and adrenal pathologies in male rats

The research was planned to assess the ameliorative effects of fenugreek (FG) against DBP-induced functional and structural changes in the kidney and adrenal glands of male rats. The forty pubertal male rats were distributed (n = 10) into four groups: (i) Control: normal feed and drinking water; (ii) DBP: 250 mg/kg/BW of DBP dissolved in corn oil; (iii) FG: 200 mg/kg /BW of fenugreek aqueous extract; and (iv) DBP + FG: 250 mg/kg/BW of DBP dissolved in corn oil + 200 mg/kg /BW of fenugreek aqueous extract. All doses were administered through oral gavage. Following a 28-day experiment, we used the cervical dislocation technique to euthanize the animals and collect blood samples and organs. The results indicated that DBP causes adverse effects on serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid; malondialdehyde level and catalase activity; average cross-sectional area (ACSA) of glomeruli, Bowman’s capsule, proximal & distal tubules of the kidney, and the mean number of glomerulosa (G), fasciculata (F), reticularis (R), and adrenal medulla (M); average width of adrenal medulla; and ACSA of the adrenal medulla of the adrenal gland. Conversely, concurrent treatment with FG substantially attenuated the kidney and adrenal glands’ toxic effects of DBP. In conclusion, FG, using its antioxidant potential, would be an important phytonutrient against the DBP-intoxicated kidney and adrenal gland.