Effect of aqueous and ethanol fruit extracts of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) on mercury-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

Musa G Abubakar; Abel N Agbon; Nathan Isaac Dibal; Hadiza Y Hassan; Andrew E Ivang; Sunday Abba; Lazarus S Stephen; Yasir M Shuaib

doi:10.5455/JPPR.20250806012733

Abstract
Aim/Background: P. dactylifera fruit have been used in the treatment and prevention of kidney injuries. This research assessed the preventive effects of aqueous (AFPD) and ethanol (EFPD) extracts of P. dactylifera against mercury-induced renal impairment in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty-five male rats were allocated into nine groups (n-5). Groups I and II received distilled water, and mercury chloride (MC) at 5 mg/kg respectively. Group III-VII received 100mg/kg silymarin, 500 & 1000mg/kg of AFPD and 500 & 1000mg/kg of EFPD respectively, followed by 5mg/kg MC while groups VIII-IX received 1000 mg/kg of AFPD and EFPD respectively. Following two weeks of oral dosing, the animals were euthanised and blood and kidney tissue were collected. Results: Malondialdehyde levels were significantly elevated in the MC group relative to the control while the histological assessments showed degeneration of renal tubules. Pre-treatment with aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. dactylifera significantly reduced (p<0.05) lipid peroxidation as seen in the MDA level and increased (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase and catalase level compared to the mercury chloride treated rats. It also prevented the degeneration of renal tubules and enhanced PAS positive staining of kidney tissues. Conclusion: Phoenix dactylifera was shown to alleviate mercury-induced kidney toxicity in rats and the nephroprotective properties may be attributed to the plant’s antioxidant activity.

Key words: Mercury chloride, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, Phoenix dactylifera.