Ameliorative Effect of Onions (Allium Cepa) on the Kidney of Adult Albino Rats with Gentamicin Induced Toxicity.

Abstract

Phytochemical constituents of plant had been the forerunners of curative and ameliorative substances in fight against human diseases and ailments. In this study, an investigation into the ameliorative effect of onion (Allium cepa) extract was carried out to determine its effectiveness against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Maceration method of extraction was used to extract the onions using absolute ethanol. A total of 60 adult albino rats of both sexes were used and grouped into; nine 9 groups as follows Group I: normal control, which received food and water only ad libitum, Group ii the gentamicin group which received 15mg/kg bw intramuscularly with food and water only for 5days. Animals in group iii-ix also received gentamicin 15mg/kg bw for five days IM, food and water. Group iii and iv are the low dose group that received 37.5 mg/kg bw Allium cepa extracts via oral gavage for one week and two weeks respectively post gentamicin injection. Group v and vi are the medium dose group that received 75mg/kg bw Allium cepa extract via oral gavage for one week and two weeks respectively. Group vii and viii are the high dose groups and received 150mg/kg bw of extract for one week and two weeks respectively. Group ix is the vitamin E group and received 131.3mg Vitamin E for a total of 14days. Body weights of the animals were taken before inducement with gentamicin and then on day 7 post inducement, day 14, and day 21. Kidney organs were also harvested on these days for histological assessment and the weight taken. It was observed that gentamicin affected the body weight of the treated animals causing a decrease in weight. Further observation showed that the decrease in weight of the gentamicin group and the low dose group were further elongated though healing started at late stage of the study. The weight of the kidney were increased histological assessment showed necrosis and haemorhagic reaction in the liver, oedema and necrosis of the cells were observed in the kidney. Administration of Allium cepa extract ameliorated the body weight of the treated groups earlier than gentamicin group. It was also observed that the vitamin E group recovered in a more robust way by the massive gain in body weight and fast recovery of kidney morphology. This indicates that Allium cepa extract has an ameliorative effect on gentamicin toxicity at a high dose but the Vitamin E effect is pronounced more than that of Allium cepa extract.