ABSTRACT
Ibuprofen, one of the most used non-steroidal anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) globally, is associated with various adverse renal effects, including nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and interstitial nephritis. The bark of Spondias mombin is rich in bioactive compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether Spondias mombin bark extract can prevent or mitigate kidney damage caused by ibuprofen administration by assessing biochemical, histopathological, and oxidative stress markers. Twenty (20) female adult albino rats were selected for, they were fed for 1 month following the established feed formulation. The animals were procured from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and kept under standard conditions with unrestricted access to feed and water ad libitum. A randomized controlled trial design was employed to evaluate the protective efficacy of Spondias mombin tree bark extract against ibuprofen-induced nephrotoxicity in Albino rats. The study comprised six (6) groups of female rats: 3 rats per Group were sacrificed, Group A: control, pellet feed and water, Group B: Ibuprofen only, 20mg/kg, Group C: extract only, 1000mg/kg, Group D: Ibuprofen 20mg/kg + extract 1000mg/kg concurrently, Group E: extract 2000mg/kg (1st week) followed by ibuprofen 20mg/kg (2nd week), Group F: ibuprofen 20mg/kg (1st week) followed by extract 2000mg/kg (2nd week). On the last day, the animals were sacrificed, and their kidneys were excised, washed with normal saline, and fixed in 10% formalin solution. Hematoxylin and eosin staining techniques were employed, and samples were examined under a light microscope. In this study, it was observed that there was no significant change in the levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen and Serum Creatinine as compared to the control groups. Also, the findings showed no significant differences in the levels of Sodium, Potassium, Bicarbonate and Chloride concentrations. The histopathological examinations of the kidney organs of these Albino rats showed normal glomeruli containing normal mesangium, blood vessels and epithelium which are all features in keeping with normal kidney, thus, strongly non-significant changes in the biochemical markers of the kidney.
