EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF STEM BARK OF BORASSUS AETHIOPUM ON KIDNEY FUNCTIONS INDICES IN CARBON TETRA CHLORIDE INDUCED TOXICITY IN RATS

This study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of the stem bark of Borassus aethiopum on liver function indices in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced toxicity in rats. A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into six groups: normal control, negative control (CCl₄ only), positive control (CCl₄ + silymarin 100 mg/kg), and three treatment groups receiving CCl₄ plus B. aethiopum extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Liver toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl₄ (1 mL/kg) diluted in olive oil twice weekly for two weeks. Treatments were administered orally for 14 days. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and terpenoids, while alkaloids and glycosides were absent. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assays, with the extract showing strong, concentration-dependent activity comparable to the standard antioxidant (ascorbic acid). The effects of various treatments on serum electrolyte balance and renal function parameters in experimental animals. The parameters assessed included sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), urea, and creatinine concentrations. The results revealed significant alterations in renal and electrolyte parameters among treated groups compared with the controls (p < 0.05). The extract modulated renal biomarkers toward normalcy, indicating potential nephrocurative effects. The first treatment group notably reduced urea and creatinine levels while stabilizing electrolyte concentrations, suggesting that the extract restored kidney function and ionic balance disrupted by toxicity or stress.