Review of Comparative Renoprotective Study of Allium Cepa (Bulb) and Clerodendrum Serratum (Root) Extracts in Experimental Animal Model

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the renoprotective activity of methanolic extracts of Allium cepa(bulb) and Clerodendrum serratum (root) against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. The plant materials were collected, authenticated, shade dried, powdered, and extracted using methanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of important bioactive constituents. Acute oral toxicity studies performed according to OECD guideline 423 indicated that both extracts were safe at the selected dose levels. Experimental nephrotoxicity was induced by administration of gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 7 consecutive days. Animals were divided into seven groups consisting of normal control, toxic control, standard drug-treated group, and extract-treated groups receiving low and high doses of Allium cepa and Clerodendrum serratum. Renoprotective activity was evaluated using biochemical, antioxidant, electrolyte, and histopathological parameters. Treatment with methanolic extracts of Allium cepa and Clerodendrum serratum significantly restored renal biochemical markers, corrected electrolyte imbalance, reduced lipid peroxidation, and improved antioxidant enzyme levels when compared with the toxic control group. Histopathological studies further confirmed the protective effect of the extracts by showing marked restoration of renal architecture and reduction of tissue damage. Among the two plants, Clerodendrum serratum demonstrated comparatively greater renoprotective activity, particularly at the higher dose level, which may be attributed to its broader phytochemical composition including alkaloids and saponins in addition to flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The findings of the present study conclude that both Allium cepa and Clerodendrum serratum possess significant renoprotective activity against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity, primarily mediated through antioxidant and cytoprotective mechanisms.

Keywords: Allium cepa, Clerodendrum serratum, Gentamicin, Nephrotoxicity, Renoprotective activity, Antioxidant, Wistar rats, Histopathology.