Antioxidant Effects of Methanol Leaf Extract of Ximenia Caffra (Olacaceae) in Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxic Rats

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of diseases such as cancer has been associated with oxidative stress. Drugs like Cisplatin can also induce oxidative stress-mediated toxicities. Ximenia caffra extracts have shown antioxidant activity in various in vitro assays. We investigated the effects of Ximenia caffra extract on the antioxidant capacity and markers of oxidative stress in Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing 150 -180 g were randomized into six groups of six rats. Rats were treated orally with the extract (100 or 200 mg/kg), vitamin C (500 mg/kg) or saline for 10 days. Cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg i.p. single dose) was administered on day eight to induce nephrotoxicity. Animals were euthanized on day 11 and blood and kidney samples were collected for analysis. Total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde levels were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Species methods, respectively.  

Results: The phenolic content of the methanol leaf extract was 128.68 mg GAE/g. Histological evidence of kidney injury, with a decrease in total antioxidant capacity and elevation in malondialdehyde content of blood and kidney tissues, were observed in Cisplatin-induced groups (p<0.05). However, pretreatment with X. caffra extracts or Vitamin C before Cisplatin increased antioxidant capacity and reduced malondialdehyde levels (p<0.05).   

Conclusion: The observed effects of the extract may be attributed to the presence of phenolics which have been shown to possess antioxidant activity. Ximenia caffra extracts have the potential to attenuate oxidative stress and confer protection against oxidative stress-mediated diseases and drug toxicities.