EFFECT OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF SOLANUM AETHIOPICUM

(GARDEN EGG PLANT) ON SERUM KIDNEY BIOMARKERS OF

CISPLATIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

BY

ONYEUKWU ANURI ONYEUKWU

U2018/5535134

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

FACULTY OF SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF

SCIENCE IN BIOCHEMISTRY

JANUARY, 2024.

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 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the research work was undertaken by ONYEUKWU ANURI

ONYEUKWU, was supervised by Dr. D.E. Peters and approved for the award of

the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry in the University of Port

Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Dr. D.E. Peters ………..……. ………………

Supervisor Signature Date

Prof. F.C. Anacletus ………..……. ………………

Head of Department Signature Date

Prof. Chukwuemeka Ehirim ………..……. ………………

Dean of Faculty Signature Date

………..……. ………..……. ………………

External Examiner Signature Date

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 DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to Almighty God for His love, faithfulness upon

my life, throughout the course of this program and to my parents, Mr and Mrs

Onyeukwu.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to register my undiluted gratitude to God for His favour, guidance upon my
life.

A special shout out should be given to my Head of Department, Prof. F.C.

Anacletus, and all lecturers of the department of Biochemistry for making,
shaping and imparting knowledge upon me.

I remain forever grateful to my supervisor, Dr. D.E. Peters for his directions,
advice and support in making this work a huge success.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Oghenekaro Joshua, Chidimma Sandra
Okorondu, Ibitamuno Nyanabo, Victory Onyeukwu, Emmanuella Onyeukwu,
Williams Onyeukwu, Heaven Nyanabo and Grace Ufom for all their words of
encouragement and contributions towards me during this program.

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 ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of Solanum aethiopicum leaf extract on cisplatin-

induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into six

groups: a control group, a cisplatin-treated group, and four groups receiving

cisplatin with 250mg/kgBW and 500mg/kgBW doses and durations of 6 and 12

days of Solanum aethiopicum extract treatment. Phytochemical analysis revealed

the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds, and steroids.

Quantitative analysis showed high levels of alkaloids, saponins, and phenols. Upon

the expiration of the 6 and 12 days durations, the rats were sacrificed and their

kidneys was collected for biochemical analysis. Rats treated with Solanum

aethiopicum extract exhibited significantly lower levels of serum urea, creatinine,

potassium, and calcium compared to the cisplatin-treated group, suggesting

improved renal function and protection against tubular damage. These findings

support the potential of Solanum aethiopicum extract as a renoprotective agent

against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE:
1.1Introduction
1.1.1 Background to the study
1.1.2 Statement of Problem
1.1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.1.4 Significance of the Study
1.2 Literature Review
1.2.1 Cisplatin
1.2.2 Kidney Damage
1.2.2.1 Renal Damage by Cisplatin
1.2.3 Biochemical Markers of Renal Damage
1.2.4 Diagnosis and Treatment of Renal Damage
1.2.4.1 Herbal Treatment for Renal Damage
1.2.5 The Medicinal Plant: Solanum aethiopicum
1.2.5.1 Scientific Classification
1.2.5.2 Description
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CHAPTER TWO:
2.0 Materials and Method
2.1 Materials
2.1.1 Equipment
2.1.2 Chemicals and Reagents
2.1.3. Drug
2.1.4 Source of Plant
2.1.4.1 Identification of Plant
2.1.5 Purchase of Drugs
2.1.5 Purchase of Laboratory Animals
2.2 Methods
2.2.1 Extraction of Aqueous leaf Extract of Solanum aethiopicum
2.2.2 Administration of Solanum aethiopicum
2.2.3 Inducement of Kidney Damage using Cisplatin
2.2.4. Experimental Design
2.2.5 Histology of the kidney
2.2.6. Procedure for Analysis of Kidney Markers
2.2.7. Phytochemical Test
2.2.7.1 Quantitative Phytochemical Screening and Characterization
2.2.7.2 Qualitative Phytochemical Screening and Characterization
2.2.8. Statistical Analysis of Data
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Results
3.1 Qualitative phytochemicals screening of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Solanum
aethiopicum

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3.2. HPLC quantitative characterization of Phytochemical Constituents of Aqueous
Leaf Extract of Solanum aethiopicum

3.3 Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Solanum aethiopicum on Cisplatin-induced

kidney Damage on Wistar Rats
3.4 Histology of the Kidney showing the Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of
Solanum aethiopicum on Cisplatin-induced kidney Damage on Wistar Rats

CHAPTER FOUR
4.0. Discussion and Conclusion
4.1 Discussion
4.2 Conclusion

APPENDIX

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LIST OF PLATES
Plate 3.4.1 Photomicrograph of the kidney tissue of rats fed with normal fed and
water (normal control) (H & E) x400
Plate 3.4.2. Photomicrograph of the kidney tissue of rats induced with cisplatin for
6 days. (H & E) x400
Plate 3.4.3. Photomicrograph of the kidney tissue of rats induced with cisplatin for
12 days. (H & E) x400
Plate 3.4.4. Photomicrograph of the kidney issue of rat induced with cisplatin and
treated with 250mg/kg bodyweight Solanum aethiopicum for 6 days. (H & E) x400
Plate 3.4.5. Photomicrograph of the kidney tissue of rat induced with cisplatin and
treated with 250mg/kg bodyweight Solanum aethiopicum for 12 days. (H & E)
x400
Plate 3.4.6. Photomicrograph of the testis tissue of rat induced with cisplatin and
treated with 500mg/kg bodyweight Solanum aethiopicum for 6 days. (H & E) x400
Plate 3.4.7. Photomicrograph of the kidney tissue of rat induced with cisplatin and
treated with 500mg/kg bodyweight Solanum aethiopicum for 12 days. (H & E)
x400

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Table of Experimental Design
Table 3.1: Result showing qualitative phytochemical analysis of Solanum
aethiopicum
Table 3.2. Result showing the quantitative analysis of Solanum aethiopicum
Table 3.3. Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum aethiopicum on serum kidney
biomarkers of cisplatin-induced testicular damage in Wister rats