Influence of hydroethanolic extract of Cassia spectabilis leaves on diclofenac-induced oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in Wistar rats

Background The medicinal potential of plant extracts for the management of liver and kidney disorders in humans has been harnessed for the past several centuries. However, the abundant plant resources have not been fully investigated, thus this study was initiated to evaluate the influence of Cassia spectabilis leaves extract (CSE) on diclofenac-induced oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in Wistar rats. The rats in the 1st group were injected with normal saline, and rats in the 2nd group were injected with diclofenac sodium (DF) by intramuscular route. Rats in the 3rd to 5th groups were treated with graded doses of CSE by oral gavages, and injected with DF. The serum markers of oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in rats were estimated by biochemical assays. In addition, histological examinations of liver and kidney tissues were evaluated. Results There was significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of total bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine, uric acid, potassium ions, and MDA of rats injected with DF when compared with normal control. The treatment of DF-injected rats with CSE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of these markers of hepatorenal damage in rats when compared with DF control. There was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, sodium ions, proteins and G6Pase after injection of rats with DF when compared with normal control. However, treatment of DF-injected rats with CSE significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of these markers of antioxidant status and oxidative damage in hepatorenal tissues of rats when compared with DF control. The photomicrographs of hepatorenal tissues showed structural features which corroborated our biochemical findings in this study. Conclusion The findings of this study have shown that CSE may have protective effect against DF-induced oxidative stress and hepatorenal damage in Wistar rats. Thus, the medicinal potential of this plant leaves extract may be harnessed for the development of phytotherapeutic products.