ABSTRACT

Nephrotoxicity remains a significant health concern, often triggered by exposure to toxicants such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), which induces oxidative stress and compromises renal function. This study investigates the modulatory potential of Entandrophragma utile on kidney plasma concentrations of bilirubin, albumin, and total protein in CCl₄-induced Wistar rats. The experiment involved five groups of rats: a control group, a CCl₄-only group, a standard drug (silymarin) group, and two treatment groups receiving 400 mg/kg body weight of crude extract (CR) and ethyl acetate fraction (EA) of Entandrophragma utile, respectively.

Biochemical analyses revealed that CCl₄ administration significantly reduced plasma albumin and total protein levels while elevating total and direct bilirubin levels, indicating hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. However, treatment with Entandrophragma utile extracts improved kidney function markers by enhancing albumin and total protein concentrations while reducing bilirubin levels. Notably, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated a more pronounced protective effect, approaching the efficacy of the standard drug, silymarin. These findings suggest that Entandrophragma utile possesses nephroprotective potential, likely due to its rich phytochemical composition, particularly flavonoids and polyphenols, which mitigate oxidative damage.

This study underscores the therapeutic potential of Entandrophragma utile in nephrotoxicity management and highlights the need for further investigations into its bioactive compounds and mechanisms of action. The results support the possible development of plant-based interventions for kidney damage associated with oxidative stress.

Keywords: Entandrophragma utile (E.utile), nephrotoxicity, bilirubin, albumin, total protein, CCl₄, oxidative stress, Wistar rats.