The impact of <i>Dioscorea villosa</i> extracts on haematological parameters in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats

Nephrotoxicity, or kidney damage, is associated with the use of various therapeutic agents, including gentamicin. This study aimed to assess the impact of Dioscorea villosa leaf and root extracts on hematological parameters in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity of albino rats. A total of 114 albino rats were randomly assigned to 19 groups of 6 rats each, divided into four subgroups (A-D, E-H, I-L, M-P) and control groups (Q, R, S). Kidney damage was induced in all groups except the normal control (Q) by injecting 100 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally. Groups A-D received 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg of deionized water leaf extract (DWL). Groups E-H received the same deionized water root extract (DWR) doses. Groups I-L received diethyl ether leaf extract (DER), and groups M-P received diethyl ether root extract (DEL). Group Q received normal saline, group R (negative control) received normal saline, and group S (positive control) received 25 mg/kg of silymarin. All treatments were administered orally for 14 days, and hematological assessments were carried out using standard methods. Results showed that Hb, PCV, and red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the untreated gentamicin-induced group compared to all other groups. However, administering different doses of D. villosa extracts significantly increased (p<0.05) the Hb, PCV, and RBC levels, similar to the effects of silymarin. The total WBC count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the untreated group compared to all other groups. These findings suggest that D. villosa could be a valuable natural remedy for nephrotoxicity.