Modulatory effects of Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria in cadmium-induced renal toxicity in adult rats

Background Cadmium, a nephrotoxic heavy metal, poses significant health risks that may be mitigated by the phytocompounds in ethnobotanicals like Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria. Objective To evaluate the modulatory potential of Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-Κβ) expression, alongside histomorphological changes in cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 )-induced renal toxicity. Methods Twenty-five adult Wistar rats (200 g) were divided into five groups ( n = 7). Group I was the control, while Groups II–V received CdCl 2 (30 mg/kg BW, weekly). Group II received no treatment; Groups III and IV were administered Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria extract (200 mg/kg BW daily), respectively. Group V received both extracts (200 mg/kg BW daily). After 28 days, kidneys were excised for histological and mRNA expression of myeloperoxidase and NF-κB. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria extracts significantly repressed MPO and NF-κB expression, with co-treatment exhibiting a stronger downregulatory effect ( p < 0.05). Histological analysis also showed improved renal architecture, as treatments mitigated histoarchitectural abnormalities observed in the cadmium-exposed untreated rats. Conclusion Findings suggest the potential therapeutic effects of Aframomum melegueta and Rauvolfia vomitoria in mitigating cadmium-induced kidney toxicity.