Evaluation of the Renal Function Response to Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Selected Edible Plants in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the renal function response to aqueous leaf extracts of five commonly consumed edible plants—Solanum aethiopicum (SA), Amaranthus hybridus (AH), Pterocarpus mildbraedii (PM), Ocimum gratissimum (OG), and Telfairia occidentalis (TO)—in male Wistar rats over a 60-day exposure period. Rats were administered low, medium, and high doses of each extract orally, and serum biochemical markers, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, and chloride, were assessed. Relative to the control, BUN levels decreased slightly with SA (23.40 ± 0.25 mg/dL at high dose) but increased with AH (25.30 ± 0.30 mg/dL), OG (26.10 ± 0.50 mg/dL), and TO (26.40 ± 0.28 mg/dL). Creatinine showed a modest decline with SA (0.32 ± 0.03 mg/dL) but increased with AH (0.45 ± 0.04 mg/dL), OG (0.48 ± 0.05 mg/dL), and TO (0.47 ± 0.04 mg/dL). Potassium levels rose slightly with SA (25.90 ± 0.40 mmol/L) and declined with AH (24.60 ± 0.35 mmol/L), PM (24.70 ± 0.32 mmol/L), OG (22.50 ± 0.35 mmol/L), and TO (24.00 ± 0.32 mmol/L). Chloride was minimally affected by SA, AH, and PM but decreased markedly with OG (65.00 ± 1.00 mmol/L) and moderately with TO (68.20 ± 1.00 mmol/L). Two-way ANOVA indicated that vegetable type significantly influenced potassium (F = 11.411, p < 0.001, η² = 0.695) and chloride levels (F = 3.074, p = 0.040, η² = 0.381), while dose interactions were significant for potassium (F = 2.721, p = 0.023, η² = 0.620). Overall, these results demonstrate that the leaf extracts exert extract-specific and dose-dependent effects on renal biochemical markers, highlighting both potential nephroprotective and nephroactive properties. The study underscores the importance of cautious and informed use of edible and medicinal plant extracts.