THE EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACT FROM THE LEAVES OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS ON KIDNEY FUNCTION MARKERS IN ALBINO RATS

ABSTRACT The prevalence of kidney-related diseases has increased globally, creating a need for alternative treatments with fewer side effects than conventional therapies. Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, has been widely recognized for its medicinal properties, but its effects on kidney function remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of essential oil extracted from the leaves of C. roseus on key kidney function markers in albino rats, including creatinine, albumin, urea, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The significance of this research lies in evaluating the potential of C. roseus essential oil as a natural therapeutic agent with minimal nephrotoxic risk, which could provide a safer alternative for managing kidney health. In this study, 25 albino rats were divided into five groups: a negative control group (receiving water and Tween 20), a positive control group (exposed to water and insecticide), and three treatment groups receiving varying concentrations of the essential oil emulsion (0.5 ml, 0.75 ml, and 1.0 ml). After four weeks of administration, blood samples were collected and analyzed for kidney function markers. The results showed no significant differences in creatinine, albumin, urea, or BUN levels between the treated groups and the control group (p > 0.05), indicating that the essential oil did not adversely affect renal function. Creatinine levels, a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), remained stable, suggesting that the essential oil did not impair kidney filtration. Similarly, the stability of albumin, urea, and BUN levels implied that nitrogen metabolism and protein handling remained unaffected. Hence, the C. roseus essential oil appears to be safe for use without compromising kidney function, even at higher doses. This study highlights the potential of the oil as a natural therapeutic option for renal health, warranting further research to investigate its long-term safety and mechanisms of action.