EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF PILLIOSTIGMA THONNINGII, LEAF ON SERUM CREATINE, UREA AND URIC ACID IN CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED IMMUNE COMPROMISED

ABSTRACT Cyclophosphamide is a widely used chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent, but its clinical use is often associated with toxic side effects, including renal impairment and immune suppression. These adverse effects are commonly reflected by alterations in biochemical markers such as serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Natural plant extracts with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have gained attention for their potential protective effects against drug-induced toxicity. Piliostigma thonningii, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional African medicine, is known to possess various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study therefore investigated the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii on serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels in cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised experimental models. In this study, experimental animals were divided into different groups including a normal control group, a cyclophosphamide-induced group, and treatment groups administered varying doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii. Cyclophosphamide was used to induce immune suppression and associated renal dysfunction. Following treatment, blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid using standard biochemical methods. The results showed that administration of cyclophosphamide significantly increased serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels compared with the normal control group, indicating impaired renal function and metabolic disturbances. However, treatment with ethanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii resulted in a significant reduction in these biochemical markers in a dose-dependent manner. The reduction observed suggests that the extract may possess nephroprotective and antioxidative properties capable of mitigating cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity. In conclusion, the ethanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii demonstrated protective effects against cyclophosphamide-induced alterations in serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid. These findings suggest that the plant extract may help improve renal function and biochemical balance in immunocompromised conditions. Further studies are recommended to isolate the active compounds responsible for these effects and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action.