Effets préventifs et curatifs de l’extrait aqueux de eleusine indica (linn) gaertn. (poaceae) sur l’hépatotoxicité et la néphrotoxicité induites chez le rat

Abstract

Liver disease and nephropathy are common pathologies of multifactorial origin including environmental, nutritional and behavioral factors (toilet milk, soap, etc.), medicinal plants, conventional drugs and/or chemicals and viral liver disease. The management of these pathologies presents limits due to the undesirable effects of conventional drugs, which motivates the use of natural resources. Eleusine indica (Linn) Gaertn (Poaceae) is used in the Central and Southern regions of Cameroon to treat yellowing and kidney failure. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the preventive and curative effects of the aqueous extract of Eleusine indica on models of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by mercury chloride, L-NAME or gentamicin in the rat. The pathology was assessed from biochemical and histological analyzes of hepatic and renal functions. To assess the effects of the plant extract on the different models of the pathology, 25 rats were divided into 5 groups receiving NaCl (0.9 %, ip) for the normal control; mercury chloride (0.02 mg/kg, sc), or L-NAME (30 mg/kg, ip) or gentamicin (100 mg/kg, ip) for the negative control; verapamil (0.5 mg/kg), or losartan (12.5 mg/kg) or aspirin (80 mg/kg) for the positive control; and the plant extract at the respective doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for the test groups. At the end of each experimental series, the hemodynamic parameters (arterial pressure and heart rate) of the animals were measured by the blood method. After sacrifice of the animals, the biochemical parameters of hepatic function (ALT, AST, PAL, total bilirubin, total proteins, albumin, lipid profile and glucose) and renal function (creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium) were evaluated by the colorimetric method. The GFR and osmolality were calculated. The analysis of the parameters of tissue oxidative stress was carried out. The qualitative phytochemistry of the extract was evaluated. The limits for use of the aqueous extract of E. indica have been determined in an experiment for acute toxicity and subchronic toxicity. Administration of mercury chloride, L-NAME or gentamicin to rats significantly modified (p<0.05) in the liver, the activity of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, bilirubinemia, proteinemia, lipid profile and blood sugar. Renal impairment was characterized by significant alterations in creatinine, urea, uric acid, potassium, sodium, glomerular filtration rate and osmolality. Histology revealed liver parenchymal involvement marked by leukocyte infiltration, fibrosis and sinusoid dilation, and renal leukocyte infiltration, fibrosis and mesengial expansion. The levels of MDA, GSH and nitrites, and the activities of SOD and catalase were significantly altered after administration of mercury chloride, L-NAME and gentamicin. The aqueous extract of Eleusine indica significantly improved (p<0.05) the activity of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, the level of total bilirubin and total protein in rats in preventive and curative treatment. Likewise, cholesterolemia, triglyceridemia and blood sugar were significantly improved after administration of the extract. Eleusine indica significantly prevented and corrected alterations in renal function by decreasing (p<0.05) serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and potassium, and by significantly increasing (p<0.05) the rate of glomerular filtration, sodium and osmolality. Micrographs of the liver and kidneys of rats given the aqueous extract of E. indica showed an architecture similar to that of normal rats. The plant extract significantly improved catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, as well as levels of MDA, GSH and nitrites. Qualitative phytochemistry revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols and reducing sugars. The acute toxicity LD50 of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg, suggesting relatively low toxicity. In subchronic toxicity, the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin significantly increased compared to normal rats. The biochemical parameters showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the serum level of total bilirubin, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the level of HDL. All these results show that the aqueous extract of E. indica would have protective and corrective activities of the damage induced at the level of the liver and the kidneys by mercury chloride, L-NAME and gentamicin, probably through its antioxidant properties and, would justify its use in the traditional treatment of jaundice and renal failure.