Ameliorative effects of Clerodendrum volubile on acute kidney injury and associated cardiovascular dysfunctions in rats

The nephroprotective and blood pressure-lowering effects of Clerodendrum volubile, a plant commonly consumed in Nigeria, were evaluated in 30 rats. Glycerol was used to induce acute kidney injury, whereas the methanol leaf extract of C. volubile was used to ameliorate cardio-renal dysfunctions at the pre- and post-treatment experimental phases. Twenty-four hours post-experimentation, blood pressure parameters were measured for all groups and blood was collected for serum biochemistry. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed, kidneys and hearts were harvested, and homogenates obtained for analysis of parameters such as protein concentrations, myeloperoxidase, as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. In addition, some organs were harvested into formalin for immunohistochemistry. Results showed decreased blood pressure parameters (SBP and DBP), decreased renal functional markers (BUN and creatinine), decreased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide), but increased activities of the analysed enzymatic antioxidants and vitamin C. volubile extract-treated animals, compared with untreated glycerol-exposed rats. Furthermore, C. volubile decreased podocin and angiotensin-converting enzymes immunohistochemical expressions compared to glycerol-exposed rats. Conclusively, C. volubile at pre- and post-treatment phases caused nephroprotective and blood pressure-lowering effects in rats through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme pathways.