ABSTRACT

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in kidney dysfunction, particularly in conditions induced by toxic agents such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). This study investigates the effect of crude extract and fractions (ethanol residue and ethyl acetate extract) of Entandrophragma utile on oxidative stress markers in the kidney of CCl₄-induced albino Wistar rats. The aim was to assess the antioxidant potential of these extracts in mitigating renal oxidative damage caused by CCl₄ exposure.

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal control, negative control (CCl₄ only), reference control (Silymarin-treated), and test groups treated with plant extracts. Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were analyzed in renal tissues. CCl₄ administration significantly reduced SOD and GPx activity while increasing MDA levels, indicating oxidative stress-induced kidney damage. However, treatment with E. utile extracts, particularly the ethanol residue (ER) and ethyl acetate extract (EA), significantly restored SOD and GPx levels while reducing MDA accumulation, suggesting improved antioxidant defense.

The observed protective effects of E. utile extracts are attributed to their phytochemical constituents, including limonoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which possess strong antioxidant properties. These findings suggest that E. utile extracts may serve as a potential natural therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related kidney damage. Further studies on the molecular mechanisms and bioactive compounds responsible for these effects are recommended to establish their pharmacological relevance.