Cytoprotective potential of the aqueous extract from Bridelia ferruginea stem bark against experimental cadmium-induced hepato-renal toxicity in Wistar rat

Cadmium (Cd), a non-redox metal, has been described as an environmental toxicant that poses a great threat to human health. Therefore, this study aimed to appraise the mitigating potential of the aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea ( Bf ) stem bark against hepato-renal toxicity in Cd-exposed Wistar rats. Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats (weight 150–200 g) were randomly grouped into five (5) groups of six (6) rats each ( n = 6), and experimental rats received a single treatment of cadmium chloride (CdCl 2 ; 30 mg/kg body weight (bw)). Cd-exposed rats were administered 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw aqueous extract of Bf stem bark for 14 days. Cd exposure caused hepato-renal toxicity in the untreated control as revealed by a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in the serum liver function markers (i.e., AST, ALT, and ALP) as well as a marked ( p < 0.05) decrease in hepatic antioxidant enzymes. A similar effect was also noticed in the renal function biomarkers (i.e., creatinine and urea) and its antioxidant enzymes. However, Cd-exposed groups–administered aqueous extract of Bf stem bark revealed a significant ( p < 0.05) decrease in serum activities of AST, ALP, and ALT, as well as a significant ( p > 0.05) difference in TP level compared to Cd-induced hepato-renal toxicity untreated and normal control. Similarly, hepatic and renal antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, and GSH), TP, serum lipid profile, urea, and creatinine were significantly ( p < 0.05) improved among the groups-administered aqueous extract of Bf stem bark compared to Cd-induced hepato-renal toxicity untreated and normal control. The renal and hepatic Cd concentrations of groups administered aqueous extract of Bf stem bark significant ( p < 0.05) decrease compared to Cd-induced hepato-renal toxicity untreated and normal control. Likewise, histological examinations of kidney and liver tissues of the groups administered aqueous extract of Bf stem bark revealed restoration of normal architecture. Therefore, aqueous extract of Bf stem bark could be suggested to be hepatoprotective and renoprotective in Cd toxicity.