Nephrotoxic and Oxidative Effects of Edible Camphor and Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the toxicological effect of Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaf extract and edible camphor on kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), 8-hydrodeoxguanosine (8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of albino Wistar rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between October and December 2024. Methodology: Thirty albino Wistar rats were used for the study. They were divided into six groups randomly of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as control group, group 2 served as the vehicle group and was administered daily dose of coconut oil, while group 3 received 500mg/kg of Neem dissolved in coconut oil, group 4 received 50mg/kg of camphor dissolved in coconut oil, group 5 received 100mg/kg of camphor dissolved in coconut oil and group 6 received 50mg of Neem and 50mg of camphor dissolved in coconut oil daily for 30 days. At the end of the administration of the extract, the rats were sacrificed, and samples were taken and examined for the determination of 8-hydrodeoxguanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), using ELISA method, and kidney tissues were collected for histological examination. GraphPad Prism Version 9.04 of Windows statistical package was used for statistical analysis. Results were considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). Results: The results showed a significant dose-dependent increase (p<0.0001) in 8-OHdG and KIM-1 levels and SOD levels significantly decreased (p<0.0001) in the camphor treated groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that edible camphor poses a nephrotoxic risk, warranting stricter safety evaluation in traditional medicine.