Nephro-protective Efficacy of African Locust Bean Seed against Potassium Bromate-induced Renal Damage

Background: Potassium bromate (KBrO3) has been utilized extensively to sterilize water, dye hair, oxidize food, add to bread dough as a maturing agent, and condition wheat dough, thereby entering into human body. It has been claimed to cause a number of toxicities including nephrotoxicity.

Aim: This study, therefore, sought to investigate the nephro-protective efficacy of African locust bean (ALB) seed against potassium bromate-induced renal damage.

Methodology: Using a soxhlet extractor with ethanol as the solvent, ALB was extracted. Twenty-four mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D after being acclimated in the lab. Oral distilled water was administered to Group A. Although groups C and D likewise received 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ALB, respectively, the animals in groups B, C, and D received 100 mg/kg body weight of potassium bromate. Rats received daily doses of freshly produced potassium bromate and ALB extract by oral gavage. Blood and kidney sample were taken after the prescribed 28-day course of medication. Standard techniques were used to assess renal biomarkers.

Results: When compared to the control group, potassium bromate treatment led to significant (P<0.05) increases in the serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl–), and bicarbonate (HCO3–). Renal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were likewise elevated by KBrO3 poisoning in comparison to the control group. However, combined administration of KBrO3 and ALB seed extract resulted in significant dose-dependent reductions in the levels of all kidney biomarkers examined, with 200 mg/kg being the most effective dose.

Conclusion: This study revealed that potassium bromate indeed induced nephrotoxicity by unhinging renal biomarkers investigated in this study. It was further observed that seed extract of African locust bean (ALB) alleviated these adverse effects on the kidney by resisting the perturbations, thereby exhibiting nephron-protective effect. The biochemical composition of ALB has conferred it with this ability.