Methanol Crude Peel Extract of P. granatum Prevents Oxidative Damage in Kidneys of Rats Exposed to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background:Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has been linked to oxidative damage to kidney cells leading to renal disease in people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART treatment. The toxic effects of HAART affect the patients' quality of life leading to poor adherence to their regimen. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the nephron-protective activity of methanol crude peel extract of Punica granatum (MPEPG) in HAART-administered Wistar rats. Methods:Thirty male albino Wistar rats weighing between 180-200g were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Group one served as normal control and was given distilled water only. Group two serves as a negative control and was given HAART at a dosage of 64 mg/kg. Groups 3 and 4 were given 100 and 400 mg/kg of MPEPG, respectively, while groups 5 and 6 were given MPEPG dosages of 100 and 400 mg/kg along with HAART, respectively, for 40 days. The rats were sacrificed under halothane anaesthesia, and the kidneys were removed for histological evaluation, while blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters. Results:In the HAART (TLD) treated group, there was a significantly high amount of MDA and a lower level of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT. Biochemical analysis revealed that animals treated with HAART (TLD) had significantly higher levels of urea and creatinine, which are biomarkers of kidney damage than the normal control animals. In contrast, all the kidney function markers were returned to normal levels in the HAART-treated group after administration of methanol crude peel extract of P. granatum. The kidney tissues of animals given HAART had considerable structural damage as revealed by histopathological studies. When HAART-exposed rats were treated with MPEPG, both the biochemical and histological results significantly improved. Conclusion:Methanol crude peel extract of P. granatum provided effective protection against kidney oxidative injury brought on by HAART because of its anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging properties.