Protective effects of Curcuma longa rhizomes ethyl acetate extract against alcohol induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats

Abstract. Eteng OE, Moses CA, Enobong J, Akamo AJ, Akinloye DI, Ugbaja RN, Akinloye OA. 2020. Protective effects of Curcuma longa rhizomes ethyl acetate extract against alcohol induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 21: 5-12. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Curcuma longa Linn. (syn. Curcuma domestica Val.) rhizomes ethyl acetate extract (CLREAE) facing alcohol-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity. Thirty female (30) Wistar rats were categorized randomly into six groups. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were treated with normal saline; 20% ethanol; 100 mg of CLREAE + 20% ethanol; 200 mg of CLREAE + 20%; 350 mg of CLREAE + 20% ethanol and 350 mg of CLREAE respectively for 14 days. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in the SOD, CAT and GPx activities and GSH concentration of rat treated with only 20% ethanol were found when compared to the normal control group, whereas a significant (P<0.05) increase in the groups pretreated with different doses of the CLREAE were also found when compared to groups with only 20% ethanol treatment. Thus, comparing to the normal control group, treatment with the CLREAE fetched a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the renal biomarkers (creatinine and urea).  Whilst, comparing to the groups with 20% methanol treatment, a significant (p<0.05) increase happened in the groups pretreated with different doses of the CLREAE. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease on Kidney MDA level in rats pretreated with different doses of CLREAE compared with the normal control. It was shown in the results of the histology that there was a physiologic recovery in the kidney tissues as groups were treated with different doses of the CLREAE. Evidenced by reduced necrosis of tubular and glomerular epithelial, the signs of protection against toxicity were found on the rats. The study suggested that through in vivo free radical scavenging ability, the CLREAE has protective effects against alcohol-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in female Wistar rats.