Ameliorative Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Brachystegia eurycoma on Renal and Hepatic Injury in Rats with Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Background: Kidney-liver crosstalk contributes to increased mortality from acute kidney injury. Brachystegia eurycoma leaves are used in herbal remedies to promote diuresis, treat renal stones, and address kidney issues. Aim: This study evaluated the ability of B. eurycoma to ameliorate renal and hepatic injury in rats with gentamicin-induced AKI. Methodology: Forty adult Wistar Albino rats were assigned into six groups (G1 and 2; n=4, G3-6; n=8). Animals in G1 (control) received food and water only. Experimental AKI was induced in G2 to G6 animals via intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin at 60 mg/kg/bw daily for six days. Animals in G1 and G2 (Gentamicin standard) were sacrificed on day seven. AKI was established with an increase in serum creatinine by 1.9 times baseline. Animals in G3 were left untreated for 14 days, while animals in G4-G6 were treated with 1000, 2000 and 3000mg/kg/bw of B. eurycoma, respectively for 14 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 13 and 20 of the experiment. Blood, liver and kidney samples were collected to analyse oxidative stress, kidney and liver function/injury markers. Histopathological examinations were done on the kidney and liver. Results: Gentamicin-Induced AKI resulted in a significant increase in serum cystatin c, creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen and urine cystatin c, with a significant decrease in urine creatinine, urea, urine volume, glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransaminase and alkaline phosphatase significantly increased. Superoxide dismutase and catalase significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde significantly increased in the kidney and liver. Kidney histopathology revealed the presence of dilated proximal convoluted tubules with loss of brush borders. Liver histopathology revealed hepatocytes with macro-vesicular steatosis and increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. B. eurycoma leaf extract altered all markers in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Conclusion: The leaf extract of B. eurycoma attenuated oxidative stress and ameliorated renal and hepatic injury in Rats with Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.